>The new studies, however, suggest that bottle-feeding might also contribute to the early onset of menstruation." Several comments: (1) It's specifically LACK OF BREASTFEEDING, rather than bottle-feeding that "might also contribute" (2) Earlier age at menarche is detectable whenever nutrition and health improves, even in the absence of a switch from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding with formula (3) The original post that began this discussion was whether HORMONES in BEEF (and later CHICKEN) could contribute to earlier menarche, as opposed to simply more protein in the diet ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D. email: [log in to unmask] Anthropology Department phone: (409) 845-5256 Texas A&M University fax: (409) 845-4070 College Station, TX 77843-4352 http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html