ITWire

 

According to the CNN Health article Study: More U.S. girls starting puberty early, 'Experts aren't sure what's behind the increase in earlier puberty, but it's likely due to a combination of factors, including the childhood obesity epidemic and substances in the environment.'

The article also states a concern for this trend of earlier puberty in girls. It states, 'Early puberty in girls is a growing public health concern because studies have shown that girls who start puberty earlier are more likely to develop breast and uterine cancer later in life.'

It also describes other problems that have been identified, in medical research, in girls that reach puberty earlier.

The CNN article states, 'Cancer risk isn't the only concern surrounding early puberty. Early development in girls has been linked with poor self-esteem, eating disorders, and depression, as well as cigarette and alcohol use and earlier sexual activity.'

Dr. Biro comments on this problem: 'If an 11- or 12-year-old girl looks like she's 16, people will interact with her as if she were 16. Early maturation increases the rate of risk-taking behaviors and lowers academic performance. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, but it could." [CNN]