(NaturalNews) "Endocrine disrupting" chemicals that mimic or interfere with the body's natural sex hormones are partially responsible for early puberty in girls, according to a study conducted by researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

"Research has shown that early pubertal development in girls can have adverse social and medical effects, including cancer and diabetes later in life," researcher Mary Wolff said. "Our research shows a connection between chemicals that girls are exposed to on a daily basis and either delayed or early development."

Read the article on NaturalNews.com

More and more girls are reaching puberty before the age of 10. The phenomenon could be linked to obesity or exposure to chemicals in the food chain.  It is putting girls at greater long-term risk of breast cancer.

A study has revealed that breast development now typically starts at an average age of 9 years and 10 months -- an entire year earlier than what a similar study found in 1991.

Read the article on Mercola.com