Recent research from Italy indicates that the number of girls experiencing early adolescence has risen significantly during the pandemic. This phenomenon, referred to as “precocious puberty,” involves the early development of secondary sexual characteristics like breast growth, pubic hair, and voice changes.
Entering adolescence early can lead to various complications, including not just physical issues like stunted growth, but also emotional and behavioral challenges such as substance abuse, social isolation, refusal to attend school, and sexual issues.
Why the Increase?
It’s widely accepted that girls are affected by precocious puberty more than boys, with statistics showing about 0.2% in girls compared to 0.05% in boys. The reasons behind this disparity are unclear, but it could be a instinctual mechanism allowing girls to mature quicker during stressful circumstances, like conflicts or scarcity.
The study examined cases from 133 diagnosed instances of precocious puberty in Italian girls from January 2016 to June 2021. Before the pandemic, 72 cases were recorded over four years. However, between March 2020 and June 2021, 61 cases emerged, with an average of four new cases monthly—approximately triple the pre-pandemic rate.
Historically, the onset of puberty in girls has been decreasing by about three months each decade since the 1970s. Yet, the spike observed during this pandemic period appears to be an anomaly.
The Role of Weight Gain
Researchers noticed a distinct connection between the rise in cases and increased weight among children, as obesity is a known factor associated with early puberty. Many children have gained weight during the pandemic due to restricted activity, with parents often engaged in work calls while kids were left to their own devices—often leading to excessive screen time and unhealthy habits.
This surge in childhood obesity goes hand in hand with escalating rates of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies. The constant exposure to screens likely complicates matters further, with studies suggesting that prolonged blue light exposure might affect hormone patterns that can hasten puberty.
Unexpected Influences
Another surprising contributing factor identified by researchers is the increased use of disinfectants. During the pandemic, hand sanitizers and surface cleansers became commonplace, often used excessively after social interactions.
Many individuals, including myself, have been cautious about using these products due to concerns over their potential negative effects, especially during puberty. Chemicals found in sanitizers can disrupt hormones and affect sexual development, particularly in younger populations, leading to irreversible changes.
Hazardous Chemicals
Triclosan is a common ingredient in hand sanitizers and is particularly concerning due to its ability to enhance absorption of other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, like BPA. So, for example, using a triclosan-based sanitizer and then touching plastic toys could lead to a significant exposure to harmful substances.
Unfortunately, sanitizers aren’t the only offender; many personal care products also contain endocrine disruptors. Research suggests that women use numerous personal care items daily—averaging eight, with some using as many as 17—many of which include harmful chemicals.
Taking Action
One of the simplest ways to lower exposure to these chemicals is to stop using products that contain them. Studies indicate that women who eliminate these items can see reductions in harmful chemical markers in their bodies by nearly half within three days.
Of course, maintaining good hygiene is important, but switching to simpler alternatives, like tallow-based soaps, can be beneficial without sacrificing cleanliness.
Why Tallow?
Tallow, which is animal fat, usually beef fat, has a composition similar to human skin fats, containing natural substances beneficial for skin health. Unlike many conventional soaps that often strip moisture and nutrients from the skin, tallow can help preserve beneficial bacteria that protect our bodies.
A Personal Touch
Interestingly, you don’t have to put up with the smell of beef if you don’t want to. Tallow-based products can be scented with natural oils like rosemary or lavender. I often make my own tallow products using ingredients from my garden—it’s quite straightforward.
One of my go-to brands is known for their tallow sugar scrub, which is fantastic after a workout, helping to wash off all that sweat. They also offer a range of other tallow products like soaps and candles, which are definitely a step up from typical paraffin options.
