7 Healthcast: Girls hitting puberty at early age

A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital finds 42 percent of African American girls have hit puberty by age 8.

"Simply because one is physically more mature does not mean they are any more socially mature or psychologically mature," said Doctor Frank Biro from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

The study looks at how many 7 and 8-year-old girls recently showed signs of puberty, and compares the numbers to a similar study from 13 years ago.

Over that time period, the age at which girls hit puberty decreased among all races, and even though the percentage of young white girls entering puberty isn't as high as other races, their numbers doubled.

Researchers said the rise in childhood obesity could be one cause for the increase, as well as environmental toxins.

"Whether food that they've eaten, or products that are used for personal care products, as well as products that could be used at their homes," said Doctor Biro.

Other research has linked an early puberty with an increased risk for breast cancer. For that reason, this study looked specifically at breast maturity in young girls.

Whether that also plays a role in cancer development remains to be seen, but what's for sure is that little girls are growing up faster than ever.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)