Age of puberty may be affected by first six months of life

Weight gain during first six months of life may influence when a boy reaches puberty, according to a Northwestern University study of men in the Philippines. The study suggests fast weight gain early in an infant boy’s life may result in earlier puberty.

Males experiencing fast growth as a baby were taller, stronger, and had more muscle mass and testosterone as young adults. The men also became sexually active earlier and were more likely to report having sex in the past month.

Researchers believe testosterone to be the link to these effects.

Infant males produce testosterone at about the same rate adult males do. Weight gain during the first six months of life is vital to early development and testosterone production helps mold the differences between a young male and female.

The study leads researchers to believe genes may not be the only factor involved, and how important the environment is in determining how an individual will turn out.

This study discovered the reason men are generally taller and have more muscle mass than females is caused by nutrition during the first six months of life for an infant boy.

Researchers explain gender differences may not be set it stone, but an effect of the environment, especially nutrition.

The study also found age of puberty to be related to nutrition and other elements occurring during the first six months of life.