Young children are reaching puberty earlier with the average age dropping
from 15 a century ago to 12 today. About 1 in a 1000 young boys and girls
are experiencing puberty as early as 8 or 9 years old. Early onset puberty
(also known as precocious puberty) has a number of troubling side effects
which include a greater risk of anxiety and depression, eating disorders,
thyroid problems and cancer.
When early-onset puberty happens to boys, their physical growth has to
compete for resources; puberty wins out and that may mean they are much
shorter than they should be. Boys who mature faster are at a greater risk
of testicular cancer in later life.
Research shows that one of the biggest contributing factors to early puberty
is the endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are found in our foods, in
plastics and in personal care products like shampoos and cosmetics.
Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals
Your endocrine system releases hormones which regulate the functioning
of your organs, growth and development. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
either block or mimic our hormones and prevent normal growth and development
and interrupt the proper functioning of vital organs.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are insidious and can be found in everything
from shower curtains to canned food. You can find a comprehensive list
of endocrine disruptors
here.
These chemicals are a contributing factor in precocious puberty. A
study by the Korean Institute of Science and Technology found that “these
six substances (MBP, t-OP, n-NP, daidzein, equol, and genistein) have
an effect on precocious puberty.”
You can reduce the amount of endocrine-disruptors in your home by choosing
organic foods and avoiding canned foods, fast food and food that has been
treated with chemical pesticides.
Sugary Drinks
Another contributing factor to precocious puberty is the consumption of
soda and other sugary drinks. In a
Harvard study of 5,600 girls, it was discovered that those girls who consumed 1.5 servings
or more of soda and other sugary drinks a day had their first menstrual
cycle 2.7 months earlier than those who consumed two sugary drinks a week or less.
From the study: “Starting periods early is a risk factor for depression
during adolescence and breast cancer during adulthood. Thus, our findings
have implications beyond just starting menstruation early.” High
sugar intake has been linked to a number of behavior issues like aggression
and problems concentrating as well as depression and anxiety.
Obesity
Obesity has also been singled out as a contributing factor to precocious
puberty. A
recent study by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center of 1,200 girls
from 2004 and 2011 discovered that obesity contributed significantly to
early puberty. From the study: “The girls who are obese are clearly
maturing earlier,” said Biro. “BMI is, we found, the biggest
single factor for the onset of puberty.”
Healthy diets high in organic fruits and vegetables and free of sugary
drinks, processed foods and fast food is the best way to ensure that your
children develop normally. You can also opt for household goods and personal
care products that are free of BPA, Phthalates and other known endocrine-disruptors.
