Revealed: boys are hitting puberty earlier
Ayla Soguksu
Social and SEO writerThe age boys hit puberty has reached an all-time low. And it's falling every decade, according to a new study.
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New research has shown that boys are reaching puberty earlier than ever before. And the average age is getting even younger, falling by 1.5 months every decade.
The study, published in medical journal JAMA paediatrics, looked at the school records of more than 4,000 school boys in Sweden. The records covered a 50-year period between 1947 and 1996.
By looking at trends in height and growth, researchers found that the later the boys were born, the earlier they hit puberty.
Boys in 1947 were hitting puberty at around 14.2 years, while in 1996 the average had dropped to 13.7 years.
Researchers also found that the average age for the onset of puberty was becoming 1.5 months earlier every decade.
Researchers suggested an increase in childhood body mass index (BMI) could be a possible reason behind the change.
They also believe nutrition, socioeconomic environment and exposure to chemicals that disrupt hormones could be factors.
When did your child hit puberty? Was it earlier than expected? Share your thoughts and opinions in the chat thread, below.
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