> >Uhh -- someone fill me in here -- I have heard that the average age for
> >the onset of puberty in females in this country (USA) has dropped from
> >about 17 years old 100 years ago to about 13 or so now.
>
> >Any ideas?
>
Sugar often gets the blame. The hyperinsulinaemia is a major contributor to
the increase in height lately.

I'd wonder if reduced root vegetable intake (phytosterol source) had an
effect.

Ben