Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 21: A new study published in eLife has found that women who experience early puberty or give birth before the age of 21 may face faster biological ageing and a higher risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity.
Researchers reported that early menarche (first period before 11 years) and childbirth in the late teens are strongly linked to accelerated “epigenetic ageing,” while later puberty and later childbirth showed protective effects, lowering the risk of age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
In India, where 101 million people live with diabetes and 136 million with prediabetes, the findings highlight the need for closer monitoring of women with early reproductive milestones. Experts stress that timely screening, postpartum follow-up, and preventive health measures could reduce long-term risks.