Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Are girls getting their periods earlier?

Studies show that puberty is starting earlier and has dropped about three months each decade since the 1970s. Based on this newer starting age for puberty, girls in the U.S. are most likely to get their period around 12 years old. It has been found that Black and Hispanic girls tend to start puberty earlier, as do girls with a higher BMI (body mass index). A higher body fat percentage can lead the pituitary gland to activate earlier. An earlier puberty, or first period, has been associated with potential health implications including a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer or uterine cancer in adulthood. Learn more about early puberty.