According to a study conducted in the US shows 23.4% of black girls, 14.9% of Hispanics and 10.4% of white girls are developing breasts ” a sign of puberty ” as early as the age of seven. It lists obesity and environmental factors such as the presence of endocrine-inhibiting chemicals like bisphenol A and Phthalates in our foods.

While in India the average age for puberty in urban areas continues to be around eleven, "it is not unknown for us to see Menarche (first menstrual bleeding) as early as seven or eight," says Dr Rajeev Punjabi, Mumbai-based gynaecologist.