Premature Puberty

Findings show that US girls may be hitting puberty earlier than expected, and this isn't the first case. Over the last three years the rate of girls hitting puberty early has been rising at an alarming rate. Girls who hit puberty early are more likely to engage in risque behavior. Not only that, but breast cancer risks go up as well. The rate of puberty is different between races. Currently, at the age of 7 10% white girls and 23% black girls begin developing breasts. Back in 1997 5% white girls and 15% black girls hit puberty early. Rising obesity among children may be the leading cause of early puberty.Whether growing up obese or as a child was obese, this makes girls more likely to develop earlier than most. Gaining weight quickly as an infant is also a contributing factor to early puberty. Obese children have more hormones and thus might trigger early puberty. Besides physical troubles these mature children will have psychological problems as well. When an 11 year old looks 15 adults as well as their friends will interact with them as if they were 15. Also, women who spend a majority of their life with their period are more likely to develop breast cancer. Nevertheless, by eating healthy, these children can decrease these risks and lead a happier life.

This relates to biology because this article talks about the obesity children may encounter that may lead to early puberty, thus paving a path toward a very sad (and hopefully short) life. Scientists study young girls and their troubling increase of early puberty. Early puberty also poses a threat to not only their physical health but their mental health as well. The way people interact with them may leave them scarred. How they think about themselves may also lead them to life threatening routes in life. This might even lead them to risky lifestyles.

This is a very grave and serious issue with young kids, especially young girls, in the US. With health being the least of many of their concerns, it'll come back and bit them in the butt later on in their life. with unhealthy food cheap and easily accessed, many won't stray from the easy path just to go grab a carrot. However, many people, even adults, are obese because of their oblivious childhood. What we must do is promote good health by providing healthy food more accessible by everyone.