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I was talking with a group of moms last week; moms of young girls more specifically. They were talking about their 8-9 year daughters starting to develop and were concerned due to their young age. Discovering that your child is entering puberty early can be worrying for a parent. Is my child ready to handle the effects -- both physically and psychologically of early puberty?
Puberty is a milestone in a boy’s or girl’s life that occurs when he or she becomes sexually mature. Boys typically reach this milestone between the ages of 12 and 16, while girls reach it a little earlier between 10 and 14 years old. Recent research is revealing American girls are entering puberty earlier than ever before. The average age for breast development is now 9 years old. However, there have been reported rare cases showing girls as young as four years old are precociously entering puberty.
Did you know that in the year 1860 girls entered puberty at 16 years old?
Many parents may shrug this off as no big deal, it is what it is; but it actually has profound implications. It can adversely affect your child's physical and emotional development. Premature puberty has both physical and psychosocial implications that may potentially affect your child well into adulthood and for the rest of his or her life.
Why is puberty in girls starting as such an early age?
This precocious puberty (A condition in which a child's body begins changing into that of an adult too soon) is triggered by a premature hormone release. Rarely, certain conditions, such as infections, hormone disorders, tumors, brain abnormalities or injuries, may cause precocious puberty. Although researchers agree that obesity plays the role in the earlier development of puberty, there is evidence implicating other factors as well. Many studies indicate that endocrine disrupting chemicals are also a contributing factor as well as food, poor diet and beverage consumption. Or is it a combination of all these factors?
Soda, sugary drinks and fake sugar
According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a high consumption of caffeinated soft drinks are a contributing factor to early onset puberty in girls. Caffeine and aspartame are being blamed for early onset puberty in girls. Researchers examined potential associations between caffeinated and non-caffeinated sugar, as well as artificially sweetened sodas, and early menstruation. They also examined the link between early onset puberty and intakes of caffeine, sucrose, fructose, and aspartame. The findings of this study determined that consumption of caffeinated and artificially sweetened drinks with aspartame were associated with the risk of early puberty in girls. Another study found that sugar-sweetened drinks was linked to early menstruation in girls as well. Girls who drink more than 1.5 servings per day were 24 percent more likely to begin puberty at an earlier age.
Bad diet void of nutrients
Children with poor nutrient diets tend to enter puberty earlier. Our modern diet is rich in nutrient deficient food, highly processed foods (high in sodium), dairy, processed meats and fast food, is disruptive and harmful to normal development and healthy aging. Early onset puberty is considered to be an early sign of premature aging.
Keep children away from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Caffeine, aspartame, sugar-sweetened beverages, and salt are not the only endocrine disrupting chemicals that cause girls to enter puberty early. Other chemical additives, genetically modified foods, and hormone and antibiotics in meat and dairy are also contributors. Environmental pollution also plays a big role. It is so important to limit harmful chemicals, eat organic whenever possible and take supplements such as probiotics and vitamin C to help protect our children.
EDCs are hormonally active synthetic chemicals that either mimic, inhibit, or alter the action of natural hormones. The EDCs of most concern are BPA and phthalates. BPA is used in the manufacturing of plastics, such as plastic cups, water bottles and food storage containers, storage bags; BPA is also found in the linings of food cans and dental sealants. BPA can leach into foods and drinks. Phthalates are chemicals used to make PVC plastics more flexible, and are found in many products including toys, food packaging, hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, lubricants, adhesives, detergents, nail polish, hair spray, and shampoo just to name a few. Phthalates have been associated with early breast development in girls. The EPA is concerned with them and is phasing them out of children’s toys and cosmetics. Many companies are now eliminating BPA and labeling products as BPA free. When purchasing food items of plastic ware make sure it clearly states BPA free.
Concerns of early puberty in girls and boys
In January 2016 a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, stated that the timing of the first phase of puberty is linked to depression and immunity in a person. Girls with early onset menstruation early are at risk for depression and breast cancer during adulthood. However, the risk was decreased for every year menstruation was delayed.
Boys are now beginning sexual development anywhere from six months to two years earlier.
Children experiencing early puberty have been shown to have an increased risk for a variety of social, emotional, and behavioral problems. If your child reaches puberty early, you will need to be aware of and sensitive to her/his developmental needs and challenges.
Girls of 7, 8 or 9 years old are not emotionally or psychologically equipped to handle puberty.
How can we protect our children?
Children’s diets should concentrate on whole plant foods and small amounts of organic animal protein. The diets should include a wide variety of natural plant foods as possible including, green vegetables, squashes, corn, carrots, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, avocados, beans, fruits and whole grains. Healthy eating is for a lifetime.
Minimize or eliminate dairy products — use almond and hemp (there are many boxed drinks) milks instead of cows’ milk. There is an abundant of products on the market that are dairy free. Make sure you read ingredients to avoid any harmful ones that could be in them.
Encourage children to be active.
Minimize and/or eliminate processed foods which are void of nutrients.
Buy organic produce when possible to avoid pesticides.
Minimize exposure to BPA by storing your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic containers, and avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods. Look for products that state BPA free.
Make sure your baby's toys, pacifiers, teething rings are all BPA-free- anything your child may put in her mouth should not contain BPA.
Minimize children’s exposure to phthalates. Check ingredient lists on personal care products for phthalates. Also be aware that “fragrance” listed as an ingredient often means that the products contains phthalates. For more information, visit EWG.org‘s guide to children’s personal care products.
Use only natural cleaning products in your home to avoid phthalates and other toxic ingredients.
Find personal care products that are free of phthalates, parabens, and other potentially dangerous chemicals.
Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, and synthetic fragrances.
Filter your tap water—both for drinking and bathing.
Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic or glass cookware.
The list may seem long but when you consider what is at stake you will realize that it is necessary to protect our children. Premature puberty can affect your child for the rest of his or her life. We must begin to be vigilant in the way we feed ourselves and our children; we must be aware of the products we use and the chemicals we have in our lives and in our homes. We can make a change to what is happening to our children for the better and in the process improve our lives as well.
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