Hardship spurs puberty: study

Children from disadvantaged households are more likely to hit puberty early, an Australian study suggests.

In the face of hardship — economic disadvantage, harsh physical environment, or absence of a father — children may be programmed to start the reproductive process earlier.

Boys who grew up in “very disadvantaged homes” had more than four times the risk of starting puberty early, while girls had double the risk, research by Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) has found.

University of Auckland-based researcher in the team and Liggins Institute Professor Melissa Wake said it was likely the same link could be found in New Zealand children.

“Early puberty may be one of the ways in which social disadvantage gets under the skin and influences children’s later-life chances, both in . . . economic prosperity and health.”

In the study, MCRI researchers surveyed about 3700 children recruited at birth as part of the Growing Up in Australia study, to investigate if social determinants were

Early puberty may be one of the ways in which social disadvantage . . . influences children’s later-life chances. Professor Melissa Wake

playing a role. Parents were asked to report on signs of children’s puberty at age 8 to 9 and 10 to 11.

These included a growth spurt, pubic hair and skin changes, plus breast growth and menstruation in girls, and voice deepening and facial hair in boys.

The paper compared the family socioeconomic position of those who started puberty early with others who started on time.

At 10 to 11, about 19 per cent of all boys and 21 per cent of all girls were classified in the early puberty group.

Lead author, Associate Professor Ying Sun, said disadvantage could be linked to early puberty for evolutionary reasons. Children may start the reproductive process earlier to ensure their genes are passed on.

The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.