The link between the pandemic and early puberty

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Early puberty soared during the pandemic, and scientists don't know why By Haley Weiss Health Reporter Puberty is a physical and emotional gauntlet for anyone, but it’s even harder for a 7-year-old child. Rates of so-called precocious puberty, defined as the appearance of secondary sex characteristics like breasts and pubic hair in girls 8 or younger and boys 9 or younger, spiked sharply worldwide during the pandemic, and doctors aren’t entirely sure why. The possibilities come down to the two main suspected causes of precocious puberty, both of which are associated with the lifestyle changes forced by COVID-19 lockdowns.  Obesity: Precocious puberty rates gained attention in the 1990s, and seemed to track closely with the uptick in childhood obesity. Hormonal cascades caused by excess weight are likely a key driver of early development. Stress: Stress can be a powerful propellor of psychological changes, and the stresses kids were under during the pandemic are almost too many to count. But many of the lifestyle changes associated with stress in lockdown—like poor sleep, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise—can also be play a role in obesity, making them difficult to untangle. How these two work in tandem, however, has long been a mystery—and the new wave could bring clearer answers. READ MORE  Share This Story

What Else to Read Where You Live Can Shape How Alzheimer’s Affects You By Jeremy Ney Alzheimer's is the No. 5 killer of Americans, but location and demographics play a big role. Read More » Attacks on Hospitals Mean Health Care is One of the U.S.’s Most Violent Fields By Associated Press The shooting at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland was part of a wave of gun violence sweeping through U.S. hospitals and medical centers. Read More » Texas Judge Rules That State’s Abortion Ban Is Too Restrictive for Women With Pregnancy Complications By PAUL J. WEBER/AP The ruling was the first to undercut Texas' law since it took effect in 2022. Read More » Is Seaweed Healthy? Here’s What Experts Say By Jamie Ducharme Certain types may be contaminated. (Originally published in 2019.) Read More » How to Manage Catastrophic Thinking By Martin Seligman The catastrophizer's mindset turns out to be an enormous impediment to happiness. Read More »

ONE LAST READ Does posture really affect back pain? We're so used to being told to "sit up straight" that slouching feels like a sign of moral and physical weakness. But as Liam Mannix reports in the Guardian, a new generation of doctors are questioning the accepted wisdom about posture, and asking if it makes sense to stand straight when our spines are curved. Read More »

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