What onsets early female puberty

Have you noticed how some girls begin their puberty journey much earlier than others? Sometimes 10 year old girls have to deal with the physical changes of a female body long before they are emotional ready for it. So the question is WHY? Why are some girls beginning their period at pre-teen ages and others are have to play the waiting game being the last to experience the female changes. Also, why is it more common for young girls to start their menstrual period at earlier ages in today's western society?

A study that appeared in Nature Genetics show cases the collaborative efforts of 175 scientists from 104 worldwide institutions! The study revealed 30 new genes that control the onset of sexual maturation. Most often puberty occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 years of age, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. Often the onset of a girls menstrual period is related to reaching a certain weight, the being about 100 pounds of 45 kg.

The study suggests that girls that begin their period early have one of the genes they discovered that are related to early menstrual maturity. The genes are often found in girls that have an unhealthy lifestyle and are physically heavier or over weight. The interesting thing about these genes is that they can be changed due to a change of lifestyle and an adherence to healthier eating and a more active lifestyle. Just as parents with type two diabetes may pass on the genes to their children that might increase changes of developing type two diabetes it can be changed with a change of life style.

The study investigated the later physical health of individuals that began their menstrual periods at an early age and discovered that the individuals were more inclined to be obese as an adult. Hopefully the scientists can continue research in this field and determine whether race or ethnicity plays a role in early onset of sexual maturity.