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Puberty Starting for Girls as Young as 6

Shortened childhoods for little girls have experts worried

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2008 11:14 AM CST

(Newser) – The first signs of puberty are appearing earlier and earlier in American girls, reports the Los Angeles Times. Early breast development is becoming so common that some experts are suggesting that the age at which it is considered abnormal be shifted down to 6 years of age for African-American girls and 7 for Caucasians. Later signs of puberty, pubic hair and menstruation, are appearing at intervals further apart, puzzling pediatricians.

Records show that girls reached puberty four years sooner in 1950 than they did in 1850, a change experts credit to improvements in health. "We're healthier and we weigh more," a doctor explained. "In some ways, puberty is a luxury." Doctors are concerned, however, that the puberty is now getting earlier because of negative factors like obesity and environmental toxins.

Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of U.S. girls have been significantly shortened, an expert said.
"Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of U.S. girls have been significantly shortened," an expert said.   (Getty Images)
9-year old girls sing during a ceremony that marks the start of their puberty in the holy city of Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. In American girls, doctors are finding that the symptoms of puberty are appearing earlier and earlier. (AP...
9-year old girls sing during a ceremony that marks the start of their puberty in the holy city of Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. In American girls, doctors...   (Associated Press)
Breast budding, the first sign of puberty in girls, is happening at younger and younger ages in American girls and experts believe obesity is one of the main reasons.
Breast budding, the first sign of puberty in girls, is happening at younger and younger ages in American girls and experts believe obesity is one of the main reasons.   ((c) Daquella manera)
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