Girls Begin Puberty at Age 7

A recent study by Frank Biro, MD, director of the division of adolescent medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center indicates that more girls are developing breasts by age 7 than in previous years. The study was conducted on 1,239 girls ages 6 to 8  from East Harlem, New York, Cincinnati and the San Francisco Bay area. Researchers assessed the onset of puberty by a standard measurement of breast development and compared their findings to a 1997 study of pubescent age. They found that:

• Breast development occurred in 10% of Caucasian girls, which is double the 5% in  1997.
• Breast development occurred in 23% of African-American girls compared to 15% in  1997.
• Breast development occurred in 15% of Hispanic girls and there is no comparison to the 1997 study.

According to Biro, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) and environmental factors play a role in the onset of puberty. African-American and Hispanic girls mature before Caucasian girls.  Girls that had breast development at 7 years old were more likely to have a higher BMI. Increased body fat has been previously linked to earlier onset of puberty in females.  Blood and urine samples were collected to measure levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s).  EDC’s such as phthalates can be found in a number of consumer products ranging from anti-bacterial soap to furniture and anti-stain fabric. At this time, the effects of EDC’s on early onset of puberty is just a speculation.

One of the major concerns with females undergoing puberty at a younger age is that they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer later on in life.  Research suggests that women with breast cancer started their periods at a younger age.

Considering obesity is a rising dilemma for both children and adults in America, researchers are encouraging parents to incorporate physical activity into family time to control weight.  Biro also suggests that families try to minimize exposure to chemicals in the environment such as phthalates.

For more information on the study, visit WebMD.