Preventing Toxic Exposures to Children: Why Looking at Location and Lifestage is Important

Goals Identify causes of early puberty in girls List health concerns thought to be related to health issues later in life List potential environmental sources of agents that may contribute to development of early puberty Provide alternatives and means to reduce environmental exposures

Early Puberty: Cause for Concern It’s all about the estrogen Increased risk for breast cancer Increased lifetime exposure to estrogens Lengthened vulnerable period between first period and first pregnancy Polycystic ovarian syndrome Increased risk of behavioral problems Eating disorders Drug and alcohol abuse Depression Teen sexual activity

Causes of Early Puberty Psychosocial Stressors Stress response  Increased cortisol Low Birth Weight Rapid initial weight gain  increased insulin  may prime the natural hormone system to respond earlier Formula Feeding Higher calorie content than breast milk  increased weight gain and more fat  higher natural estrogen exposure Soy formulas contain phytoestrogens Breast milk may contain other hormones and factors that help regulated early brain development Physical Inactivity Leads to development of obesity

Causes of Early Puberty Obesity and Weight Gain Diets high in animal protein, dairy products, lower in nutrients Excess body fat  higher estrogen levels Excess body fat  reduced sensitivity to insulin and therefore higher levels  activate hormones that induce puberty earlier Excess body fat  store more estrogen and other chemicals that act like estrogen Environmental Exposures Phytoestrogens Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Pesticides Solvents used in plastics and food can linings Flame retardants and industrial chemicals

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Phytoestrogens Soy containing products Hormones in Meat and Milk Exposure to tobacco smoke during early childhood Lead exposure May lead to delayed puberty

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Bisphenol A (BPA) Used to produce rigid plastics Cups, storage containers, water bottles Lining of food cans Can leach into food and beverages More released during heating and washing Phthalates Makes PVC plastics more flexible Toys, food packaging, detergents, shampoo, hair spray Hoses, shower curtains, vinyl flooring EPA may order these be phases out

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Pesticides Flame retardants Chemical formed by burning of waste Chemicals use in manufacturing

Minimizing Exposures Breast is Best! Children’s diet should focus on whole plant foods rather than animal foods Wide variety of plant foods – green vegetables, corn, squashes, onions, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains Sensible amounts of dairy (not to be replaced with soy milk) Minimize processed foods – calorie dense and nutrient poor Buy organic when possible – reduced exposure to pesticides Exercise – exercise with the kids

Minimizing Exposures Avoid BPA containing plastics (recycling label #7) BPA free containers (a good start) Do not use plastic water bottles if old or scratched Do not microwave foods in plastic containers Minimize use of canned foods Avoid canned infant formula Minimize use of soy infant formula Avoid phthalate containing plastics (recycling label #3) Check ingredient lists Cosmetics with dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), and diethylphthalate (DEP) The ‘fragrance” may be phthalate

Conclusion Early puberty is a serious issue, particularly for girls, and can lead to serious health consequences Whole food diet Exercise and activity Avoid environmental exposures References Steingraber, S. The Falling Age of Puberty in U.S. Girls. Published by the Breast Cancer Fund, August 2007 Aksglaede, L, et al., The sensitivity of the child to sex steroids: possible impact of exogenous estrogens. Human Reproduction, 2006 Furhman, J, Girls’ Early Puberty: What causes it and how to avoid it. Huffingtonpost.com, Diamanti-Kandarakis E et al Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. Endocrine Reviews 30(4): Most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals: A Potential Health Problem that Can Be Solved. Environ Health Perspect 119:989–996 (2001)