Chasing Life Puberty Is Starting Earlier. Should Parents Worry?
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Mar 21, 2025 Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and author of the bestselling series on adolescent health, sheds light on a concerning trend: children are entering puberty earlier than ever—around age 8 for girls and 9 for boys. She explores the implications of this shift, touching on environmental factors, nutrition, and stress. Natterson emphasizes the importance of open communication between parents and kids during this critical time, offering strategies to foster meaningful discussions and support healthy development through these changes.
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Changing Puberty
- Puberty is starting earlier, now at age 8 for girls and 9 for boys, on average.
- It also lasts longer, sometimes up to a decade, impacting how parents and physicians approach it.
Shifting Medical Understanding
- Medical understanding of puberty has shifted since the late 1990s.
- Studies revealed earlier onset than previously thought, challenging old norms based on limited research.
Earlier Puberty Research
- Research by Marsha Herman-Giddens and Louise Greenspan revealed that puberty starts earlier than previously believed.
- This research has had a significant impact on how we understand adolescent development.
