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NYGHTSHAYDE

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act
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Is Environmental Injustice Morphing Little Girls Bodies?

Seeded on Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:14 AM EDT
Read ArticleArticle Source: Common Dreams
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Seeded by nyghtshayde
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The beginning of adolescence is a tough time for any girl. It's harder when you're growing up in a tough neighborhood and go to a rough school. And it's really hard when you face all the surging hormones and other tribulations of puberty before you even reach your eighth birthday.

The latest research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that an array of social and environmental factors may be causing girls' bodies to develop prematurely. The New York Times reports that the potential causes flagged by researchers include exposures to chemical contaminants and obesity.

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The girls who developed breasts early, as young as age seven, were disproportionately Black and Latina. Black 8-year-olds were more than twice as likely as white girls to develop breasts. As the NYT reports:

At 7 years, 10.4 percent of white, 23.4 percent of black and 14.9 percent of Hispanic girls had enough breast development to be considered at the onset of puberty.

At age 8, the figures were 18.3 percent in whites, 42.9 percent in blacks and 30.9 percent in Hispanics. The percentages for blacks and whites were even higher than those found by a 1997 study that was one of the first to suggest that puberty was occurring earlier in girls.

  • 4 votes
Reply#1 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:17 AM EDT
nyghtshayde

Girls often find themselves physically maturing at a faster pace than they learn how to deal with sexual contact, and may face certain cancer risks later in life.

has tracked elevated exposures to environmental toxins in mothers in low-income New York neighborhoods. The data reflect a disturbing prevalence of chemicals known to be endocrine disruptors, including common plastic ingredients known as pthalates.

  • 4 votes
#1.1 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:20 AM EDT
js-445607

These findings are very disturbing and hopefully they will be addressed as an immediate concern. It seems that young girls once began puberty around 11 or 12 years old so at 7 and 8 this is alarming. Personally I don't think our country has been vigilant in tracking the poorer communities and how the children develop. I am taken aback at the obesity I observe in some of the children and it frustrates me that this hasn't been addressed in a manner that is comprehensive to those suffering from this ailment. When the government gives out food stamps there truly should be a curb on how much empty calorie foods a recipient may purchase simply due to how these foods take up a whole lot of the food stamp allotment. I know that many protest this restriction but with so many not having a clue about nutrition it would be helpful if they found they could not blow their stamps on sugar fat and salt laden consumables.

  • 4 votes
#1.2 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:46 AM EDT
nyghtshayde

Everywhere you look,this news is swept away.There is evidence of what we are doing to ourselves ,our children and the environment everywhere you look.The future looks very bad for humanity.People are already paying the price in so many ways.

Unless we change direction,we are likely to end up where we are headed

  • 4 votes
#1.3 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:33 PM EDT
js-445607

I agree and believe one of the basic needs we ignore is understanding that we need a full service education system where children learn about the outside world and the needs that go with survival. We've gotten to a point where every subject is "touchy" and cannot teach what basic necessities are needed. Children are great teachers and if they are learning they will try to educate the parent. We have watch dogs tracking families but very few resources to educate those who fell through the cracks during their learning years. It would be very wise if we engaged retirees and volunteers to teach classes to parents with special needs such as those on welfare and food stamps. I cannot believe that we'd hand over credit for food and not educate at the same time. I cannot believe how many obese people I see that always have a stash of junk food on them at all times. I've seen obese adults pushing strollers with toddlers at their side that are grossly overweight. Don't you think these people need help? It is a pity and no different than any handicap yet we as a society harp on it and do little to prevent this.

  • 4 votes
#1.4 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:47 PM EDT
nyghtshayde

I agree with what you are saying also.I believe education is the key,especially with our children.Unfortunately,an uneducated public is easier to control.The less the general public knows,the easier they are to manipulate and take advantage of.

For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people~John F. Kennedy

That quote seems to be a very accurate assessment of the current state of our country.

  • 3 votes
#1.5 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:23 PM EDT
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going up

I was thinking about the fat parents and kids I personally know. All of them are emotional eaters. (With exception of old folks who can't exercise.) All of them are from divorced homes. I don't think the connection between our divorce rates and obesity can be ignored. Same thing with single parent homes and poverty. Our spirits have needs.

And as far as environmental toxins in low income mothers...it sounds like landlords aren't following the health code. (Lead paint? Proper ventilation in heating/air conditioning systems, maintenance of these type things? etc) And low income or not-you need to keep your place as clean as you possibly can.

I guess the more we "unravel", the more strange consequences we will see. But I'm thankful this information is out and corrections can begin.

  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 1:28 PM EDT
nyghtshayde

And as far as environmental toxins in low income mothers...

We are all dealing with these toxins,but the poor are exposed much more than most for numerous reasons.Those who have less are,protected less.

  • 3 votes
#2.1 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:31 PM EDT
krishna-167929

And as far as environmental toxins in low income mothers...

We are all dealing with these toxins,but the poor are exposed much more than most for numerous reasons.Those who have less are,protected less.

That's true to a degree-- but the difference is not as great as it used to be.
In the past it was true because the poor have less resources to, for example, move their residence or buy healthier foods and other products. In addition, they were often less well-informed. And that's still true in most cases.

However, these chemicals have become so widespread that now people on all socio-economic levels are exposed.

For example-- food cans. Even middle class and wealthier people use them. Or-- juice. Years ago, it was often sold in glass bottles-- now popular jiuces such as Apple juice, V-8, etc are in plastic.

Many of the endocrine disruptors and/or chemicals mimicking "bad" forms of Estrogen are plastics.

Two of the worst are BPA (especially in cans of most manufacturers)-- and Phthalates.

  • 3 votes
#2.2 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:20 PM EDT
nyghtshayde

You're exactly right Krishna

We are all at the mercy of the environment,that has been so terribly polluted.I know you are familiar with what humanity faces,as I have followed some of your seeds.BTW,nice seed on the ocean trash,a subject I have followed for awhile.Sorry,I didn't get a chance to comment yet,but I voted it up.Friend request sent.

  • 4 votes
#2.3 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:42 PM EDT
krishna-167929

Friend request sent.

Thanks-- accepted! :-)

Dangerous and potentially dangerous chemical in our environment, food, etc are really more widespread than many people realize. I don't know what actions we can take-- perhaps the best thing we can do is to just keep putting the information out there-- make it available for people to see (seeding articles on NV is one way to do this).

  • 3 votes
#2.4 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:01 PM EDT
nyghtshayde

putting the information out there-- make it available for people to see (seeding articles on NV is one way to do this).

Education of others is the most effective means I've found and Newsvine has been an excellent way to put the information out there.

The world we have created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.~ Albert Einstein ~

  • 4 votes
#2.5 - Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:18 PM EDT
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