Childhood obesity and onset puberty in young girls

I find it quite compelling that evidence shows the increased obesity rates are correlating with female girls entering puberty at younger ages that were once considered to be abnormal. With obesity continuing to increase this is another negative side affect that should strongly be presented when trying to convince parents to take control of the childhood obesity problem.

I believe there is also a cultural correlation when dealing with childhood obesity because, especially in the south, their cooking is viewed as an important part of their culture and not viewed as a bad thing. Obesity rates were shown to be more common in african american girls compared to white girls, which can show a correlation in the differences in culture.

The fact that young girls are entering puberty at younger ages could possibly have negative outcomes. However, longitudinal studies over a long period of time would need to be done in order to determine how entering puberty at a younger age could effect them when they are older.