Puberty is coming on for girls at younger ages in recent times.
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Articles
Puberty Coming Earlier Than We Thought
January 06, 2003
Original Posting: 1/6/2000
INTRODUCTION
They say, kids grow up faster today than ever before. But for many girls that is more than just a saying. Some girls are reaching puberty earlier than we ever thought possible.
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"The old sex education movies look quaint and outdated, especially compared to what surrounds us today on movies and television.
"Today's sexual imagery makes sex education even more important, since kids need to have accurate information to deal with the urges of their growing bodies.
"Most sex ed. classes that discuss condoms or birth control methods for the first time don't usually begin until kids are entering junior high at twelve or thirteen. Well, the American Academy of Pediatrics just issued a report that found that may be years too late for many young girls.
"Lizzie Prindle is learning all about her changing body with her mom Angela. She's only a fifth grader, but last year, at the age of 9 she started showing the first signs of puberty.
LIZZIE PRINDLE/STARTED PUBERTY AT AGE 9
"I noticed my breasts were getting bigger and changing..."
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"Something she didn't expect quite so soon."
ANGELA MASON/LIZZIE'S MOTHER
"I was surprised, I thought really that, 12 was the magic number, but it's nine or 10, it's not 12 anymore."
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"In fact, 12 is still the magic number with respect to when most girls start their periods, but what seems to have changed is when girls show the first signs of puberty. A recent study found 15 percent of Caucasian girls and 48 percent of African American girls by age 7 or 8 had begun puberty, meaning breast development and pubic hair."
WALTER MILLER, M.D./UCSF DEPT. OF PEDIATRICS
"There are many normal girls who will start at even younger ages, all the way down to 6 for Afro-Americans and 7 for Caucasians."
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"Alarmists blame early puberty on everything from hormones in our milk, to chemicals in plastic bottles, yet scientists say there is no link, since the levels of any hormone in milk is so miniscule they would have no effect on a human beings.
"Most scientists feel the real reason girls, like Lizzie, are maturing earlier is far less ominous - better overall health and nutrition. Nevertheless, early puberty is a very real wake-up call for sex-education providers."
END NOTE
For almost all girls, early puberty is not accompanied by menstruation. Even so, experts say, girls need to understand what is happening to their bodies, so sex education at an earlier age can be essential.
Source: Study: Association of School Nurses, 1999
http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/...ype=DeanTopics
Articles
Puberty Coming Earlier Than We Thought
January 06, 2003
Original Posting: 1/6/2000
INTRODUCTION
They say, kids grow up faster today than ever before. But for many girls that is more than just a saying. Some girls are reaching puberty earlier than we ever thought possible.
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"The old sex education movies look quaint and outdated, especially compared to what surrounds us today on movies and television.
"Today's sexual imagery makes sex education even more important, since kids need to have accurate information to deal with the urges of their growing bodies.
"Most sex ed. classes that discuss condoms or birth control methods for the first time don't usually begin until kids are entering junior high at twelve or thirteen. Well, the American Academy of Pediatrics just issued a report that found that may be years too late for many young girls.
"Lizzie Prindle is learning all about her changing body with her mom Angela. She's only a fifth grader, but last year, at the age of 9 she started showing the first signs of puberty.
LIZZIE PRINDLE/STARTED PUBERTY AT AGE 9
"I noticed my breasts were getting bigger and changing..."
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"Something she didn't expect quite so soon."
ANGELA MASON/LIZZIE'S MOTHER
"I was surprised, I thought really that, 12 was the magic number, but it's nine or 10, it's not 12 anymore."
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"In fact, 12 is still the magic number with respect to when most girls start their periods, but what seems to have changed is when girls show the first signs of puberty. A recent study found 15 percent of Caucasian girls and 48 percent of African American girls by age 7 or 8 had begun puberty, meaning breast development and pubic hair."
WALTER MILLER, M.D./UCSF DEPT. OF PEDIATRICS
"There are many normal girls who will start at even younger ages, all the way down to 6 for Afro-Americans and 7 for Caucasians."
DEAN EDELL, M.D.
"Alarmists blame early puberty on everything from hormones in our milk, to chemicals in plastic bottles, yet scientists say there is no link, since the levels of any hormone in milk is so miniscule they would have no effect on a human beings.
"Most scientists feel the real reason girls, like Lizzie, are maturing earlier is far less ominous - better overall health and nutrition. Nevertheless, early puberty is a very real wake-up call for sex-education providers."
END NOTE
For almost all girls, early puberty is not accompanied by menstruation. Even so, experts say, girls need to understand what is happening to their bodies, so sex education at an earlier age can be essential.
Source: Study: Association of School Nurses, 1999
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