Many Girls Now Begin Puberty at Age 7, 8: The onset of puberty is continuing to drop among American girls, new research shows. Rising rates of childhood obesity -- long linked to earlier sexual development -- may be to blame, experts say. Early puberty, including younger ages at menarche, or first menstrual cycle, is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer throughout the life span.
In addition, developing early is associated with psychological and social pressures that young girls may be ill-equipped to handle, including sexual advances from older boys and men. Girls may look older than their age, but mentally, they are much the same as other 7-and 8-year old girls.
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