Human Growth and Development / Unit 9 HGD 1222 short lesson, about 20 seconds
What Sets Pubertal Timing
Captions available
The idea
Genetics is the strongest predictor of pubertal timing, through parents' own timing; in girls, body fat and the hormone leptin also play a part.
In practice
Leptin, released by fat tissue, possibly signalling the hypothalamus that energy stores are sufficient for puberty.
Where people slip
In boys, central fat and higher prepubertal weight predict earlier puberty, which is linked to later type two diabetes risk.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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