Clipping Board » Environmental Pollution & Change ─ How dirty the human heart is, how dirty the environment will be...
Update Date: 2010/08/10 04:11 [Compiled by Wei Guo-Jin / Comprehensive Report]
A U.S. study found that girls today begin developing breasts as early as 7 or 8 years old. While obesity is considered the primary cause of early puberty in girls, some experts believe environmental chemicals may also be to blame. Early puberty has both physiological and psychological impacts, such as a higher risk of breast cancer and lower self-esteem due to peer attention or teasing.
The study, conducted in collaboration with New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, surveyed 1,239 girls aged 6 to 8, with 30% each being White, Black, and Hispanic, and 5% Asian. The findings showed that 10.4% of White, 23.4% of Black, and 14.9% of Hispanic girls had developed breasts enough to be considered in puberty by age 7. By age 8, these figures rose to 18.3% for White, 42.9% for Black, and 30.9% for Hispanic girls. The rates for White and Black girls were higher than in a 1997 study.
The New York Times reported that rising obesity rates are seen as a major factor in early puberty, as body fat produces sex hormones, and overweight girls tend to develop fuller breasts. However, Dr. Gordon of Boston Children’s Hospital noted that breast development and menarche in normal-weight White girls have not changed.
Dr. Biro, lead author of the study and director of adolescent medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, believes weight is not the sole cause. He suggested environmental chemicals may play a significant role, as estrogen-mimicking compounds could accelerate puberty. Though unproven, he and colleagues are studying girls’ hormone levels and exposure to various chemicals.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100810/ 78/ 2asxd. html
Girls' Puberty Starts as Early as 7
A U.S. study found that girls today begin developing breasts as early as 7 or 8 years old. While obesity is considered the primary cause of early puberty in girls, some experts believe environmental chemicals may also be to blame. Early puberty has both physiological and psychological impacts, such as a higher risk of breast cancer and lower self-esteem due to peer attention or teasing.
The study, conducted in collaboration with New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, surveyed 1,239 girls aged 6 to 8, with 30% each being White, Black, and Hispanic, and 5% Asian. The findings showed that 10.4% of White, 23.4% of Black, and 14.9% of Hispanic girls had developed breasts enough to be considered in puberty by age 7. By age 8, these figures rose to 18.3% for White, 42.9% for Black, and 30.9% for Hispanic girls. The rates for White and Black girls were higher than in a 1997 study.
The New York Times reported that rising obesity rates are seen as a major factor in early puberty, as body fat produces sex hormones, and overweight girls tend to develop fuller breasts. However, Dr. Gordon of Boston Children’s Hospital noted that breast development and menarche in normal-weight White girls have not changed.
Dr. Biro, lead author of the study and director of adolescent medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, believes weight is not the sole cause. He suggested environmental chemicals may play a significant role, as estrogen-mimicking compounds could accelerate puberty. Though unproven, he and colleagues are studying girls’ hormone levels and exposure to various chemicals.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100810/ 78/ 2asxd. html