Obesity May Affect Early Puberty

The negative effects of obesity go far beyond your physical health, but also impact your mental and sexual health. 

In fact, excess weight appears to be ushering in early puberty. Girls in the U.S. are developing at a younger age compared to years past, and obesity appears to be largely to blame.  

Almost one out of four African-American girls (23%) will have their breasts begin to develop by age seven. These girls are physically developing into young women, but mentally they are still children. They are unsure as to why their family members and friends are looking at them differently. Or, if they do notice, they may begin to develop an insecure complex. 

Generally, obese girls may wait until they are older to have sex. However, when they do engage, they are typically more promiscuous, have multiple partners, and don't use protection. 

Health reporter, Sarah Varney, shares her research on obesity, puberty and sex and explains this relatively recent phenomenon.