Disturbing Trend, Root Cause?: Children Reaching Puberty As Early As 4 Years?

Question

I read an article this morning on CNN.com regarding a little girl that had started menstruating at 4 years, in this case it was a thyroid problem causing it.

This raised a question that I've discussed with family in the past. It seems that kids are maturing physically at a much younger age than when I was a kid (now 35). What's causing it?

I've heard some say it's the hormones they give the cows to produce milk, livestock to grow larger. Is it the culture and overt sexuality sending signals to the brain and body at a younger age?

What do you think folks?

Answer 1

Absolutely..just look at the TV! And the growth hormones in meat, dairy is so bad for kids...chicken, beef, pork all have it!
And these clothing trends that have 5 year olds dressing like mini adults is such a shame for our culture.
I think it is a mix of all of this that contributes to children maturing at lightning speed..in body, but not in the mind!
We, as parents, or adults, have to remember that children are not mini-adults..no matter how grown up that 13 year old looks and acts, she is just a child!
More single families, and working Mom's than ever before..just WHO raises the kids these days??

Answer 2

I think its the hormones in food and milk. I've switched my family to as much organic as possible to hopefully stretch out puberty till at least 12. I shutter to think of my oldest girl hitting puberty at 9!!

Answer 3

I've heard the same thing. Everything you eat nowadays has hormones in it. From milk to chicken. Unfortunately, if you want hormone free food, you have to pay extra. But it might be worth it in the end.

Answer 4

It's true kids are maturing at a much earlier age than they used to, could also be due to better health conditions, better food sources, but these days most people eat ready made meals which are packed with preservatives, so who knows??

Answer 5

i think it is the things we are now putting in our food but their were cases of children hitting puberty as young as 3 but that was in 1939 before we started adding hormones to our food the child's name was Lina Medina she also holds the tittle for the youngest mother in the world at 5 years old she gave birth to a 6 pound baby boy here's the link if you want to read about it
http://www.snopes.com/pregnant/medina.asp

Answer 6

I think it's the hormones in cows and chickens. Many companies use hormones to make chickens larger thus they have more meat.

Answer 7

OH MY GOD!!!!! i am a new mother of a baby girl i would absolutely have a fit if my baby grl started menstruating at such a young age....my heart goes out to her mommy!!!

Answer 8

I think you answered your own question. Seems that others are agreeing with you. I think the same.