When someone starts puberty has been shown to have a profound impact on their health later in life.
According to researchers at the University of Cambridge, early- and late-onset puberty in both women and men is linked to risk-factors for 48 different health conditions, including breast and cervical cancers, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, obesity, glaucoma, depression, psoriasis, and even early menopause. The study was published in?Scientific Reports?and involved nearly a half-million people whose information was compiled by UK BioBank.
To indicate the onset of puberty,?female participants were asked when they had their first period, and male participants were asked when their voice broke. The study found that 20% of women had their first period between the ages of 8-11, which is classified as early, and 16.5% had their first period between the ages of 15-19, which is classified as late. Women who had their first period before or after these age ranges were not included in the study.
When it came to the male participants, 4% indicated they were “relatively younger” when their voice broke, while 6% indicated they were “relatively older” when their voice broke.
The study, led by Dr. Felix Day, indicated that both men and women in the earliest or latest 20% had higher risks for these conditions compared to those more in the middle. Speaking to BBC News, Dr. Day said of the findings:
“From a biological point of view, it’s actually quite fascinating that something that happens when you’re a teenager can have an effect on diseases that you wouldn’t encounter until middle age. I find that quite astonishing.”
Some of the findings differed between the genders. Women in the latest 20% to go through puberty had an increased relative risk of heart disease, whereas men who went through puberty relatively late had a decreased relative risk of heart disease.
Dr. Day states enough evidence exists to establish a causal link between the age when someone enters puberty and risk-factors associated with some of these conditions. From The Guardian:
“Though a cross-sectional study of this kind cannot distinguish between cause and effect, evidence from other studies using different methods does point to a causal link between puberty and certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.”
It is important to note that while a causal link between pubescent onset and these conditions has been established, pubescent onset alone is not responsible for the development of these conditions. When someone becomes pubescent is merely a single factor that influences the development of these conditions.
Just because you have early- or late-onset puberty doesn’t mean obsessing on WebMD is necessary.
