Stress Brings on Early Puberty

Ivanhoe Newswire
Friday, October 20, 2006; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Children are reaching puberty at a younger age, and a new report reveals one factor that could be to blame is stress.

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University Centre for Public Health in England say the age-onset of puberty has been steadily falling for 150 years but has dropped three years within the past century alone. Puberty is brought on early because of a number of public health measures and improved nutrition. However, researchers say it's also due to stress, such as stress from a parental divorce or an absentee father.

Study authors say while children are developing physically, there are no attempts to help them socially grow up faster. This leaves a gap that can lead to more problems.

"The results can be ill informed health damaging behavior including unprotected sex, substance abuse, self harm, violence and bullying, with disadvantaged communities likely to hit the hardest,"write the study authors.

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SOURCE: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2006;60:910-911