Study Reveals Earlier Onset of Menstruation, Especially in Minority and Low-Income Girls
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that girls in the U.S. are experiencing their first periods earlier over the past 50 years, with significant trends among Black, Hispanic, Asian, and mixed-race participants, and those of lower socioeconomic status. The study, involving over 71,000 participants, found that the average age of menarche has decreased from 12.5 years to 11.9 years. Early menarche is linked to various health and psychosocial issues, and factors such as better nutrition, higher body fat percentage, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may contribute to this trend.