The Falling Age of Puberty in U.S. Girls: What We Know and Need to Know
| Where: | Doubletree Hotel-Lloyd Center 1000 NE Multnomah, Portland |
| When: | Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM |
| Phone: | 503-222-1963 |
| On the web: | http://www.oeconline.org |
The Falling Age of Puberty in U.S. Girls: What We Know and Need to KnowMay 22, 2008
Girls get their first periods today, on average, a few months earlier than did girls 40 years ago, but they get their breasts one to two years earlier. Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of U.S. girls have been significantly shortened. What does this mean for girls today and their health in the future? Early puberty is caused by a combination of factors. The interactions among these factors can be quite complex. As an example: We know that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a possible cause of early puberty, but we also know that exposure to these chemicals in utero or early in life can also lead to low birth weight and obesity, which are themselves possible causes of early puberty. Sandra Steingraber, PhD, distinguished visiting scholar in the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, Ithaca College, and author of "Consequences of Early Puberty in U.S. Girls - Implications for Learning" will share recent findings in this area and to discuss the policy actions that are needed to address this problem.
