Girls are facing puberty at the tender age of eight when they are as yet unaware of the physiological, psychological and social impact of this major change in their life.
Girls are facing puberty at the tender age of eight when they are as yet unaware of the physiological, psychological and social impact of this major change in their life. Blame obesity, stress and wrong food, say experts.
They said that this had forced the medical fraternity to lower vaccination recommendation age. According to the Indian Academy of Paediatrics Committee of Immunisation’s (IAPCOI) latest recommendations, cervix cancer vaccine initiation age has been set at eight to nine years. In 2008, it was 11-12 years. Cervical cancer takes the lives of eight women in India every hour.
Dr Purvi Nanavati, gynaecologist working with Naari, a group creating awareness on women’s health issues in association with state’s health department, reiterated: “The prime reason for lowering the age bar is early puberty.”
Early onset of puberty was not thought to be a health concern in India till the last few years. Lifestyle-induced obesity and environmental factors such as the presence of endocrine-inhibiting chemicals in food has changed the scene in Indian metros.
While in India the average age for puberty in urban areas was believed to be around 12, today menarche (first menstrual cycle) happens as early as at the age of eight, say paediatricians and adolescent gynaecologists in the city.
Dr Dewang Parikh, president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Ahmedabad chapter, said: “The signs of puberty that include development of breasts and initiation of menstrual cycle are visible in girls aged around eight to nine while a few years ago the age for early puberty was considered 11-12 years.”
The major factors behind this are pollutants in food that play havoc with our endocrine glands, sedentary lifestyle causing obesity and early exposure to sexual knowledge due to TV and internet. Rising stress, both at school and at home, also disturbs the hormonal patterns and can be linked to premature puberty, point out experts. Dr Dipal Parekh, an endocrinologist, said, "The major factors are improved nutrition, added chemicals and other environmental factors." According to him, unlike the developed world where it is present across the population, in India this tends to be an urban phenomenon.
It is indeed difficult to control larger environmental factors affecting puberty. But there is still a vital role that parents can play to delay the onset of puberty, say psychologists.
Parents can create a loving ambience at home and motivate kids to exercise moderately.
There should be an open and sensible discussion about sexuality and changes that puberty brings.
"These techniques can help in reducing the stress and anxiety piling up within young girls due to early exposure to half-baked sexual information. And lowering stress and obesity can yield results in delaying puberty," said Dr Param Shukla, adolescent psychiatrist.
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