Seems to be a topic of interest here so I thought I'd provide a place to discuss it.
GotGarlic posted some info in this thread about the BGH.
It is my understanding from years of reading and assimilating information that puberty is starting earlier for many reasons.
One of the most important is that our overall nutrition is better now than it used to be. Lets just go with say the Middle Ages. They didn't have access to all the nutrition we have now. In the winter, seeing a piece of fruit would be pretty rare unless it had been made into jam or dried at harvest time. So, their puberty was later simply because their bodies weren't at peak efficiency.
Another reason is because our society (North American society) is leaning heavily (excuse the pun) toward obesity. The word obese does not necessarily refer to those who are really huge, it refers instead to your BMI. You can Google this easily but here is a link to an easy one. (PS, go to the advanced one) You will be surprised at how little it takes to be referred to as obese. Having said that, girls who have even a slightly elevated BMI will begin to develop earlier because the body requires fat to produce estrogen which of course is the beginning of menses etc.
OK, now that I've bored you all senseless let me also throw in a small reassurance for the Dads out there with daughters. Girls can start "budding" and showing signs of that lovely hormonal roller coaster for YEARS before they actually have a period. Many many girls start that dreaded cycle when they are as young as 8 or 9 and don't begin menses until 12-14. (Which is considered the norm now.) That didn't sound as reassuring as I meant it to. LOL. Sorry guys.
OK, and now my own personal observation is that genetics plays a part too. If Mom started early, chances are pretty good her daughter will too. If daughter has a genetic predisposition to being heavier, well...see above for the BMI info. Some folks it is just bred into genetically. Now whether this is influenced by genetic stuff we eat or whether it is a natural progression is beyond my scope. I plan to do some more reading to figure that one out.
Anyone have thoughts to share here?
PS. Found out my BMI puts me in "Overweight" as opposed to "Obese", whew. Although on another calculator I was Obese dang it all.
GotGarlic posted some info in this thread about the BGH.
It is my understanding from years of reading and assimilating information that puberty is starting earlier for many reasons.
One of the most important is that our overall nutrition is better now than it used to be. Lets just go with say the Middle Ages. They didn't have access to all the nutrition we have now. In the winter, seeing a piece of fruit would be pretty rare unless it had been made into jam or dried at harvest time. So, their puberty was later simply because their bodies weren't at peak efficiency.
Another reason is because our society (North American society) is leaning heavily (excuse the pun) toward obesity. The word obese does not necessarily refer to those who are really huge, it refers instead to your BMI. You can Google this easily but here is a link to an easy one. (PS, go to the advanced one) You will be surprised at how little it takes to be referred to as obese. Having said that, girls who have even a slightly elevated BMI will begin to develop earlier because the body requires fat to produce estrogen which of course is the beginning of menses etc.
OK, now that I've bored you all senseless let me also throw in a small reassurance for the Dads out there with daughters. Girls can start "budding" and showing signs of that lovely hormonal roller coaster for YEARS before they actually have a period. Many many girls start that dreaded cycle when they are as young as 8 or 9 and don't begin menses until 12-14. (Which is considered the norm now.) That didn't sound as reassuring as I meant it to. LOL. Sorry guys.
OK, and now my own personal observation is that genetics plays a part too. If Mom started early, chances are pretty good her daughter will too. If daughter has a genetic predisposition to being heavier, well...see above for the BMI info. Some folks it is just bred into genetically. Now whether this is influenced by genetic stuff we eat or whether it is a natural progression is beyond my scope. I plan to do some more reading to figure that one out.
Anyone have thoughts to share here?
PS. Found out my BMI puts me in "Overweight" as opposed to "Obese", whew. Although on another calculator I was Obese dang it all.
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