A large study released by the American Academy of
Pediatrics suggests that boys are entering puberty earlier now than
several decades ago - or at least earlier than the time frame doctors
have historically used as a benchmark.
The study,
widely considered the most reliable attempt to measure puberty in
American boys, estimates that boys are showing signs of puberty six
months to two years earlier than was reported in previous research,
which historically taught that 11 ½ was the general age puberty began in
boys. But experts cautioned that because previous studies were smaller
or used different approaches, it is difficult to say how much earlier
boys might be developing.
The study echoes research on
girls, which has now established a scientific consensus that they are
showing breast development earlier than in the past.
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