"Super" Precocious Puberty in Girls:Another Fat Related Issue

Studies have now began to take the serious rise in early puberty in young girls as a real medical dilemma.In the mid-nineties perhaps 5 percent of girls 7 yeaers old had reached puberty. Today it is as high as 15 %, but as high as 25% in African-American girls. The implications are voluminous in a culture filled with many influences for girls to participate in activities usually reserved for teens , aldolescents and in some cases young adults. Why have we seen such a "monstrous" increase of ancillary body hair(hair in the axilla, pubic hair) and breast buds in 2, 4, 5, and 6 year olds. Is this all coincidental? That's very doubtful since medical science , particularly endocrinology and geneticist understand the normal maturation process of puberty which usually takes place at around age 12.

The biochemistry of fat again is playing a role here. The more peripheral adipose(fat) available to the body, the more substrate is available for production into estrogen. So, as obesity risses so does the risk of excess estrogen production to make breast buds, development of hips and other secondary characteristics seen in puberty.

The diets that are higher in fats (cholesterol) and eating more will attribute certainly to this effect , but there are others. Foods that are loaded with estrogen injected to grow may be a culprit from agri-farm raised animals.

Xeno-estrogens are found in household insecticides and are sprayed at will by families at home. Girls may be exposed to these. They are not as harmless as you think.

We always have felt soy products were safe but the type of soy you consume could be making a difference. The Chinese typically make a healthier soy by fermentation and the isolates in soy may be a problem. Soy also has phyto-estrogens(estrogen look alike) .The science jury is still out on if soy protects older females or if they are potentially putting them at risk.Should baby girls have particular types of soy formula? You have to read up on more what is in it and talk to your pediatrician.

Plastic bottles we use for water and other beverages has a chemical called BPA that seems to have effects on sexual hormones and could be yet another culprit for premature puberty for girls. Use beverages from glasses instead and never drink water from an overheadted plastic bottle or one that is super frozen.

The risk of this extra estrogen may not only be seen with physical changes but with psychological and emotional changes normally expected for a more mature girl. Exposure to mature siutations and circumstances could become a potentially loaded "gun". A culture filled with graphic literature, telivision and movie subject matter or access to the internet needs to be monitored more closely.

Feeding children high fat foods needs to be monitored as well as the type of soy products you use. Use more "green" pesticides and insecticides. Getting girls into a weight program and participating in exercise is important early in life.

But, the problem doesn't end there. As more choesterol is available not only is estrogen production more likely , but so is testosterone. Agressive and sexual behavior go hand-in-hand and can be acted out due to excess testosterone.

The problem is even greater because feminization of boys with so many sources to estrogen is becoming common. Boys with breast buds or actual breast , underdeveloped genitalia and infertile is becoming noticed.

Later implications of girls who experience early mearche(early periods) may be implicated in increased risk of breast cancer has to be considered as well.

This problem needs to be discussed more, but prevention is key.

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