“...Lots of kids are hitting puberty earlier now then they used to. Lots of factors involved with that I’m sure. But I agree something is wrong. Maybe lack of exercise, hormones in the water supply, sexual exposure at a younger age via the media, ... perhaps all of these factors. And yes, Autism and autism spectrum disorder have significantly increased. They’ve ruled out vaccines as a cause, but something is going on...”
My personal theory (with nothing to back it up, just a gut feeling) is the amount of hormones fed to cattle, chickens, etc. I have a hunch these are in our food chain, causing early onset puberty, among other effects.
Recently, an 8 y/o girl presented in our ER with asthma. Though only 8, she had nearly fully developed breasts. Our ER doctor (a woman) was stunned. The staff had an interesting discussion. Seems we are seeing more and more of these changes in our youth. Something is definitely happening to our kids.
The changes have been going on for a while yet no one will own up to them. Just like the controversial view that cell phones cause cancer. Studies in Europe have shown they do increase the chance of getting cancer, yet our corporate funded studies here in the states do not. An increase in brain cancers starting on the side of the head (and following a specific pattern) that people use their cell phones on is occurring.
It's just amazing that what many many people see first hand, is dismissed by our research institutions and health agencies. But then, smoking as a cause of cancer was debated for many years. And recently, it was discovered that fructose does indeed fuel cancer (the high fructose syrup controversy).
That's why I don't dismiss "anecdotal" evidence and common man views. People are cognizant of their bodies and what effects them, and should not be dismissed just because a study hasn't YET proven that they have a valid view. In the end I think it will be found that certain gene pools ARE effected by certain environmental pollutants while others are not. So, one size fits all studies do not show the whole truth.