Sexual Development In Children Research Articles

What do teachers in Romania think about children's sexual development and education?

The topic of sexuality passes for a taboo in our country even today, there being no open treatment of the subject, not even in the closest family circle. There is no sexual education in schools, while sexual enlightenment is restricted to 1-2 hours, provided at the age of 13-14. Our goal is to determine the knowledge and views of Romanian teachers on the sexual development and sexual education of children. The survey was conducted in 2022-2023 as self-filling on-line questionnaire (N=455). Our research was aimed at exacting the knowledge of Romanian kindergarten teachers, elementary school teachers and teachers on the bodily and psychic safety of children, on the factors endangering these, on various topics of sexual education, on the openness of parents related to the sexuality of their children and the flexibility of kindergartens and schools in what pertains to the introduction of sexual education. Most of our responders consider sexuality to be a natural part of a healthy life and that it should be tackled from the earliest possible ages both within the family and in educational institutions. According to the surveyed teachers, parents are reluctant to talk about sexuality to their own children and rely on sexual education in kindergartens and schools. If training on sexual education were to be introduced in Romania, most of the surveyed would gladly participate. They also recommended 27 related topics in 7 categories, all of which should all be covered by the said training. Our results called attention to the deficiency of education on reproduction. This can be improved but the task is complex. In order to solve the problem, the educational systemic view needs to change, while directives based on scientific proof need to be accepted and observed. All teachers dealing with the age-groups concerned need to take part in the educational process. Parents, teachers and educators need to be aware of the self-image developed by the child and of the effect this image has upon the evolution of the child’s future role in society. Sexual education should imperatively be incorporated into the educational process beginning with toddlers and up to young adults.

Value of the human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation test in the diagnosis of disorder of sexual development in children

To investigate the value of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation test in the diagnosis of disorder of sexual development (DSD) in children. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 132 children with DSD. According to the karyotype, they were divided into three groups: 46,XX group (n=10), 46,XY group (n=87), and sex chromosome abnormality group (n=35). The above groups were compared in terms of sex hormone levels before and after hCG stimulation test, and the morphological manifestation of the impact of testicular tissue on the results of the hCG stimulation test was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the multiple increase of testosterone after stimulation among the three groups (P>0.05). In the 46,XY group, the children with 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency had a testosterone-to-dihydrotestosterone ratio higher than that of the 46,XY DSD children with other causes. Morphological analysis showed that DSD children with testicular tissue demonstrated a significantly higher multiple increase in testosterone after stimulation compared to children without testicular tissue (P<0.05). The hCG stimulation test has an important value in assessing the presence and function of testicular interstitial cells in children with different types of DSD, and it is recommended to perform the hCG stimulation test for DSD children with unclear gonadal type.

The Effect of Mothers' Privacy Perceptions on the Privacy-Related Behaviors of Their Preschool Children

Privacy training; It is a phenomenon that covers not only the sexual development of children, but also cognitive, language, moral, social and emotional development areas. At the same time, it is a concept related to the individual's self-knowledge and setting limits in vital situations or interpersonal relationships. This work; This study was conducted to determine the effect of mothers' perceptions of privacy on their preschool children's privacy-related behaviors. The research was conducted with a two-stage relational survey model, qualitative and quantitative. Mothers with children aged 4-6 years studying in pre-school education institutions constituted the study group (N=239). Individual Information Form to determine the demographic variables of the study group; The Privacy Perception Scale was used to determine mothers' perceptions of privacy, and the Semi-Structured Interview Form was used to determine the effects of mothers' perceptions of privacy on their children's privacy-related behaviors. In the evaluation of qualitative data, data that were similar to each other were combined within the framework of certain themes and concepts by using content analysis. At the stage of evaluating the quantitative data, the MannWhitney-U test was used in the comparisons between two independent groups, and the KruskalWallisH test was used in the comparison of three or more independent groups in order to determine the difference and relationship status between the sub-dimensions of the Privacy Perception Scale and demographic variables. According to the results obtained; in the sub-dimension of individual privacy; significant difference was found between the variables of mother's education, mother's work and number of children. As mothers' perceptions of individual privacy increase, so does their perception of spatial privacy. In addition, as the perceptions of privacy regarding others increase; Digital privacy perceptions are also increasing

The effectiveness of sexual health and development education given to children with intellectual disabilities: A randomized controlled study

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an educational program implemented to support the sexual health and development of children with intellectual disabilities, using the Mastery Learning Model, on their knowledge of sexual health and development, as well as on their mothers' awareness of their children's sexual development. MethodThis study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with 48 children who have intellectual disabilities, divided into two groups: an education group (n = 24) and a control group (n = 24). The program implemented was a sexual health and development education program based on the Mastery Learning Model. The data collection tools used were ‘The Sexual Development Characteristics of Children with Adolescent Intellectual Disability Scale’ for mothers and ‘The Sexual Development Knowledge Assessment Scale for Children with Intellectual Disabilities’ for children. ResultsFollowing the educational program, the children in the education group demonstrated an increase in knowledge regarding their sexual development and health. Additionally, the mothers in the education group showed an increased awareness of their children's sexual health and development. One month after implementing the education program, which utilized mastery learning, the children in the education group exhibited a greater level of knowledge compared to the control group. ConclusionThis study utilized the Mastery Learning Model to achieve effective and comprehensive sexual health and development education for children with intellectual disabilities. Practice implicationsPediatric and school nurses are recommended to use the Mastery Learning Model for sexual health education in clinics and school health practices.

Impressions of child advocacy center leaders: How problematic sexual behavior in children and adolescents is perceived by community professionals

BackgroundConsistent with the goals of National Children's Alliance, Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) are optimal for addressing needs related to problematic sexual behavior (PSB) of youth due to their multidisciplinary approach and emphasis on community-level evidence-based interventions (Kelley et al., 2019). To promote child well-being and safety, decisions of the CAC's multidisciplinary team must be based on an accurate understanding of youth with PSB, child sexual development, and best-practice responses. However, misperceptions about youth who have engaged in PSB appear to broadly persist (Hackett, Masson, et al., 2013), leading to obstacles for CACs in addressing PSB. ObjectiveTo better understand and address the training and service needs of CACs across the country, the goal of this study was to assess CAC community professionals' (e.g., MDT members) perceptions of children and adolescents with PSB, as reported by CAC leaders. Participants and settingParticipants were 351 CACs from 47 US states, a representative sample based on regional and community distributions. MethodA designated point-of-contact (e.g., the Director) for each CAC completed an online survey reflecting on their CAC's professional community's perceptions of youth with PSB. ResultsFindings suggested that a number of misperceptions about youth with PSB, particularly adolescents, are commonly reported for CAC professional communities. Prevalent misperceptions surrounded the etiology of PSB, treatment-related needs, and differences between youth with PSB and adults. ConclusionsResults can be used to inform policy, practice, training, and resource utilization to address youth with PSB in CACs, with specific recommendations provided to enhance an evidence-based approach.

Children's Sexual Development and Privacy: A Call for Evidence-Based Ethical Policy.

Children's Sexual Development and Privacy: A Call for Evidence-Based Ethical Policy.

Predicting Sexual Behavior Based on Family Emotional Climate and Exposure to the Sexual Environment in Children with and Without Sexual Problems

Background: Children's sexual development and behavior are important aspects of their overall development and education and are a significant concern for parents. These behaviors can lead to harm to children. The emotional climate and sexual environment within a family can influence the development of sexual behaviors. Objectives: This study aimed to predict sexual behavior problems in children, both with and without pre-existing sexual problems, based on their family's emotional climate and exposure to sexual environments. Methods: The present study was an applied and descriptive-correlational study that utilized discriminant analysis as its primary analysis method. The study population consisted of parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 in Ahvaz in 2021. A total of 294 parents were selected for the study using voluntary sampling. The data were collected using the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI), the Family Emotional Atmosphere Scale, and the Family Sexuality Scale (FSS). The data collected were analyzed using discriminant analysis. Results: The study's findings indicate that the emotional climate within a family and exposure to sexual situations within the family, both individually and in combination, can distinguish children who exhibit sexual behavior problems and those who do not. The conventional linear discriminant analysis (LDA) results indicated a significant combined power of the two variables (WL = 0.70; Kappa = 0.49; P = 0.001). The discriminant analysis results were significant for the family emotional climate (WL = 0.79; Kappa = 0.34) and exposure to the family sexual environment (WL = 0.80; Kappa = 0.36; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be argued that the emotional climate within a family and exposure to sexual behavior within the family environment significantly impact the development of problematic sexual behaviors in children.

Comprehensive analysis of untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics in girls with central precocious puberty.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a rare condition that causes early sexual development in children. Although the cure is effective, the etiology of central precocious puberty is unclear. In total, 10 girls with central precocious puberty and same number of age-matched female controls were enrolled. Plasma samples were collected from each participant and subjected to untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics. Student's t-tests were employed to compare the mean of each metabolite and lipid. Furthermore, orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis was conducted and the variable importance in the projection was calculated to identify differentially expressed metabolites or lipids. Subsequent bioinformatics was conducted to investigate the potential function of differentially expressed metabolites and lipids. Fifty-nine differentially expressed metabolites were identified based on the criteria used (variable importance in the projection >1 and a P value < 0.05). Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites were enriched in four pathways: beta-alanine metabolism, histidine metabolism, bile secretion, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. As for the lipidomics, 41 differentially expressed lipids were observed and chain length analysis and lipid saturation analysis yielded similar results. Significant differences between the two groups were only observed in (O-acyl) ω-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFA). The present study showed that antibiotic overuse, increased meat consumption, and obesity may have potential roles in the development of central precocious puberty in girls. Several metabolites have diagnostic value but further research is required.

Queer Childhood Sexuality in Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

Queer Childhood Sexuality in Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros Celine Parreñas Shimizu (bio) Global circulations of cinema produce intimate attachments to subjects located elsewhere, whose different lives across the distance come into proximity. The English title of the Philippine indie film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (Auraeus Solito, 2005), The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros, is quite beautiful yet imprecise in its translation of the original Tagalog in the worldwide release. Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros literally converts to "the blossoming young womanhood of Maximo Oliveros." The original Tagalog title is gendered: the word dalaga means young woman and the conjugation of pagdadalaga indicates becoming. To translate growing womanhood as blossoming in the sense of flowering goes beyond developing as an adult woman in the community. Flowering can also be read as a vaginal reference in the sense of burgeoning labia.1 The film is thus so much richer than its English title suggests in its representation of the adolescent child's sexual development and how it is situated in a larger constellation of gendered identities, a complexity that I will parse for this film that circulates widely in Filipinx and queer diasporas today. [End Page 170] Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros concerns a young genderqueer Filipinx youth named Maximo, or Maxie (Nathan Lopez), who may be an effeminate boy, a boyish girl, or someone in-between. At twelve years old, the adolescent may express themself in an aggressive effeminacy that troubles the spectator's categories, but in their neighborhood slums of Manila, no one is confused or discomforted by their defiance of gender boundaries. There are other children like Maxie, so their gender expression is normalized as one available option among many. That is, they are not alone as genderqueer in this film, so they do not represent a singular anomaly or embody an individual perception of perversity. While Maxie's gender obscurity makes them vulnerable to harassment outside the home, especially after dark, their family is composed of a kind and doting father named Paco and two protective older brothers, the quietly intense Boy (Neil Ryan Sese) and the lighthearted and flirtatious Bogs (Ping Medina). All are locally known criminals—petty thieves working in the underground economy—selling stolen cell phones or running the numbers. The Oliveros clan, in their cisgendered macho countenance, loves and protects Maxie, who has taken on the feminine role of cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the household since the death of their matriarch. But when Maxie develops an interest in the rookie policeman Victor Perez (J. R. Valentin), who eventually seeks to arrest their family after a local murder, their affection and care for this man of the law threatens to fragment the family. This film is extraordinary for the way it privileges the child's perspective, including the full-blown vulnerability in their desire for another, but it is not a coming out narrative. Maxie's queer sexuality remains ambiguous. Because Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros is not a film about coming out, Maxie's sexuality is not the primary social category of experience in their development. Indeed, Maxie's sexuality is situated within a larger set of formative feelings and experiences, specifically mourning, grief, and poverty. Maxie seems to be heading in the direction of criminality. Their future aspiration to sell pirated DVDs is unlawful. The film does not present this path as something to which they are intrinsically prone but as the most viable, as it is exemplified and encouraged by the adults in their life. Maxie's limited choice is contextualized by the family's extreme lack of resources as poor people in the Global South. While Maxie's pursuit of a different life may be seen as a sexual one, due to the primacy of sex in defining queer identities, this film presents different kinds of queer desire that, while not denying erotic attachment, provide a broader map. In looking at the film through the lens of object relations theory—a branch of psychoanalysis focused on relations with others and their representative inanimate objects—we can see how the child's feelings exceed sexual instincts and include romance, loyalty, and grief. This allows us to examine the interpersonal relationship...

Рівень гормонів у підлітків із фізіологічним і патологічним перебігом пубертатного періоду за різної інтенсивності фізичної активності

Scientific evidence suggests a global pandemic of motor inactivity in adolescents that contributes to a number of chronic diseases. At the same time, regular physical activity has a favorable effect on the growth and sexual development of children and adolescents. Purpose - to evaluate the influence of physical activity (PA) on the hormonal blood spectrum of adolescents with physiological and pathological course of puberty. Materials and methods. We examined 55 boys and 46 girls aged 11-17 years old. Concentration of total testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, prolactin was determined by enzyme immunoassay, serotonin content was determined by fluorometric method. PA was studied using the questionnaire of IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Depending on the course of pubertal period adolescents were divided into 2 groups: the Group 1 - with physiological course of puberty; the Group 2 - with pathological course of puberty (boys with delayed puberty and girls with menstrual disorders). Adolescents were divided into 2 groups according to their PA level: low (&lt;7 points) and high (&gt;9 points) levels of PA. Results. It was found that in boys with a physiological course of puberty high PA compared with low activity leads to an increase in testosterone concentration and has a positive effect on physical development. High PA, on the contrary, decreases the content of testosterone in the pathological course of puberty and possibly aggravates puberty in boys. In girls high PA against the physiological course of puberty leads to an increase in serotonin, an indicator of the stress-limiting system. In the pathological course of puberty high PA has a positive effect, reducing the levels of testosterone and prolactin compared with low activity, which may contribute to the normalization of menstrual function, as well as reducing stress levels. Conclusions. Physical activity in adolescents should continue to be encouraged, given its positive effect on the hormonal blood spectrum. However, gender differences, pubertal development status and different mechanisms of adaptation to PA of girls and boys should be taken into account. It is very important to determine the optimal level of PA to meet the needs of children and adolescents, which would have a beneficial effect on both physical and psycho-emotional development. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Retracted: Analysis of the Relationship between Nutritional Status and Bone Age and Sexual Development in Children and Adolescents.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/8325756.].

Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on Precocious Puberty: A Case-Crossover Analysis in Nanjing, China.

Ambient air pollution is closely related to a variety of health outcomes. Few studies have focused on the correlations between air pollution exposure and children's sexual development. In this study, we investigated the potential effects of exposure to air pollution on precocious puberty among children using real-world evidence. We conducted a case-crossover study (n = 2201) to investigate the effect of ambient air pollution exposure on precocious puberty from January 2016 to December 2021. Average exposure levels of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 before diagnosis were calculated by using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method. Distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to assess the effect of air pollutants exposure on precocious puberty. The mean age of the children who were diagnosed with precocious puberty was 7.47 ± 1.24 years. The average concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 were 38.81 ± 26.36 μg/m3 and 69.77 ± 41.07 μg/m3, respectively. We found that exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 might increase the risk of precocious puberty using the DLNM model adjusted for the age, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 levels. The strongest effects of the PM2.5 and PM10 on precocious puberty were observed in lag 27 (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.01-2.92) and lag 16 (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.33-2.85), respectively. Our findings supported that short-term exposure to air pollution was the risk factor for precocious puberty. Every effort should be made to protect children from air pollution.

State of sexual development in children with congenital epidermolysis bullosa

Purpose of the study. Assess the state of sexual development in children with CEB.Methods and materials. The study included 50 children aged 8.11 to 17.80 years with CEB who were treated at the National Medical Research Centre for Children’s Health (Moscow, Russia) from December 2020 to April 2022. Anthropometric parameters, the stage of sexual development on the Tanner scale, bone age, the level of pituitary (FSH, LH) and sex (estradiol, testosterone) hormones, additional hormonal parameters (cortisol, DHEA-sulfate, 17OHP, ACTH, prolactin, TSH, T3, T4, insulin), ultrasound of the pelvic organs for girls and ultrasound of the scrotum organs in boys, the results of a psychological and pedagogical examination (questionnaire according to S. Bem, ‘drawing of a person’ by K. Machover, D. Wechsler’s test) were assessed in all patients. The data are presented using median (Me), quartiles of 25 and 75% [Q25; Q75] and standard error (SE). Due to the small number of observations, nonparametric statistical criteria were used to assess the significance of the differences in the obtained indicators.Results. According to the results of the study, a statistically significant relationship was established between the occurrence of deviations in sexual development in children with CEB and the clinical form of the disease (p &lt; 0,001). The severity of clinical manifestations of CEB according to the EBDASI scale was significantly higher in children in the group with deviations in sexual development (p = 0,000) compared with the group of children with normal sexual development. Anthropometric indicators of BAZ and HAZ in the group of children with deviations in sexual development were statistically significantly reduced (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively) compared with children with normal sexual development, which means a significantly higher incidence of malnutrition in this cohort of patients. Basal levels of FSH and LH (p = 0,000, p = 0,001, respectively), estradiol and testosterone (p = 0,002, p = 0,000, respectively) were significantly lower in children with abnormalities in sexual development compared with children with normal sexual development. A statistically significant relationship was revealed in the studied groups with the stage of sexual development according to Tanner scale (p = 0,032). Among all patients with CEB (n = 50), delay puberty was diagnosed in 7 patients (14%), while all patients suffered from RDEB and had low basal LH levels, reduced estradiol and testosterone values, which allowed them to be diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH).Conclusions. In patients with CEB with the most severe degree of clinical manifestations, accompanied by decompensated malnutrition of multifactorial genesis, there are deviations in sexual development and upon reaching the age of 13 years, girls and boys develop transient (symptomatic).

Le développement psychologique et sexuel des enfants de parents homosexuels

IntroductionMany studies that have assessed whether homosexual parenthood interferes with the psychological, cognitive and sexual development of children. It seems to emerge that growing up in a couple of same-sex parents does not interfere with the psychosexual development of children and that the possibility that children can become homosexual in the future does not depend on the sexual orientation of the parents. No difference was found in the incidence of homosexual future orientation between children of heterosexual parents and children born and raised in homosexual couples. Materials and methodsIn this preliminary study, a group of 112 children (mean age: 11.8) of homosexual parents living in a stable relationship with a same-sex partner were observed and examined. The following psycho diagnostic tools were used for the evaluation: spontaneous drawing, drawing of the human figure, drawing of the family, test of black images. The development of children's sexual identity was also assessed through the preferences and fantasies manifested by the following: during play, in the relationship with companions, in the type of preferred clothing. Interviews with children and parents also took place. Results and conclusionsAll children showed good adherence to their gender role. Being raised by a couple of same-sex parents does not compromise the child's future sexual orientation. However, sexual preference of these children may vary with adulthood as it is affected by future events and circumstances.

Analysis of the Relationship between Nutritional Status and Bone Age and Sexual Development in Children and Adolescents.

To observe the correlation between nutritional status, bone age, and sexual development in children and adolescents. 895 children and adolescents who underwent physical examination in the growth and development clinic and height clinic of our hospital from 2019 to 2021 were selected as the research objects. The subjects were divided into emaciation group, normal group, overweight group, and obesity group. The bone age level, bone age assessment, sexual development, and early maturity rate of each group were compared. The bone age difference (BAD) of the overweight and obesity groups was higher than that of the normal group, and the BAD of the obesity group was higher than that of the emaciation group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, the risk of advancement of bone age in the overweight group increased by 2.674 times (male) and 1.908 times (female), the risk of advancement of bone age in the obesity group increased by 6.376 times (male) and 14.687 times (female), the risk of retardation of bone age in the emaciation group increased by 2.150 times (male) and 3.092 times (female). Whether it was male or female, the sexual development of overweight and obese was higher than that of the normal weight group in the same age group. Among female children, the sexual precocious puberty rate of the overweight + obesity group is higher. The nutritional status of children and adolescents is closely related to their bone age and sexual development.

Pre and postnatal exposure to mercury and sexual development in 9-year-old children in Spain: The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Early exposure to mercury has been related to endocrine disruption. Steroid hormones play a crucial role in neural cell migration, differentiation, etc., as well as protecting against several neurotoxic compounds.We investigate the relation between mercury exposure and children's sexual development, and we evaluate the possible influence of different brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms on this association.Our study sample comprised 412 9-year-old children participating in the INMA cohort (2004–2015). Mercury concentrations were measured at birth (cord blood) and at 4 and 9 years of age (hair). Sexual development was assessed by levels of sex steroid hormones (estradiol and testosterone) in saliva and the Tanner stages of sex development at 9 years (categorized as 1: prepuberty and >1: pubertal onset). Covariates and confounders were collected through questionnaires during pregnancy and childhood. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene were genotyped in cord blood DNA. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed between mercury levels and children's sexual development by sex. Effect modification by genetic polymorphisms and fish intake was assessed.We found marginally significant inverse associations between postnatal exposure to mercury (at 9 years) and testosterone levels (β[95%CI] = -0.16[-0.33,0.001], and −0.20[-0.42,0.03], for boys and girls, respectively). Additionally, we found that prenatal mercury was negatively associated with Tanner stage >1 in boys. Finally, we found significant genetic interactions for some single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BDNF gene.In conclusion, pre and postnatal exposure to mercury seems to affect children's sexual development and BDNF may play a role in this association, but further research would be needed.

Relationship between body mass index and sexual development in Chinese children

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual development in Chinese children. Methods: A nationwide multicenter and population-based large cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China from January 2017 to December 2018. Data on sex, age, height, weight were collected, BMI was calculated and sexual characteristics were analyzed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on age, including ages 3-<6 years, 6-<10 years, 10-<15 years and 15-<18 years. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for evaluating the associations of BMI with sexual development in children. Dichotomous Logistic regression was used to compare the differences in the distribution of early and non-early puberty among normal weight, overweight and obese groups. Curves were drawn to analyze the relationship between the percentage of early puberty and BMI distribution in girls and boys at different Tanner stages. Results: A total of 208 179 healthy children (96 471 girls and 111 708 boys) were enrolled in this study. The OR values of B2, B3 and B4+ in overweight girls were 1.72 (95%CI: 1.56-1.89), 3.19 (95%CI: 2.86-3.57), 7.14 (95%CI: 6.33-8.05) and in obese girls were 2.05 (95%CI: 1.88-2.24), 4.98 (95%CI: 4.49-5.53), 11.21 (95%CI: 9.98-12.59), respectively; while the OR values of G2, G3, G4+ in overweight boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.38), 1.52 (95%CI: 1.36-1.70), 1.88 (95%CI: 1.66-2.14) and in obese boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.37), 1.59 (95%CI: 1.43-1.78), and 1.93 (95%CI: 1.70-2.18) (compared with normal weight Tanner 1 group,all P<0.01). Analysis in different age groups found that OR values of obese girls at B2 stage and boys at G2 stage were 2.02 (95%CI: 1.06-3.86) and 2.32 (95%CI:1.05-5.12) in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, respectively (both P<0.05). And in the age group of 6-10 years, overweight girls had a 5.45-fold risk and obese girls had a 12.54-fold risk of B3 stage compared to girls with normal BMI. Compared with normal weight children, the risk of early puberty was 2.67 times higher in overweight girls, 3.63 times higher in obese girls, and 1.22 times higher in overweight boys, 1.35 times higher in obese boys (all P<0.01). Among the children at each Tanner stages, the percentage of early puberty increased with the increase of BMI, from 5.7% (80/1 397), 16.1% (48/299), 13.8% (27/195) to 25.7% (198/769), 65.1% (209/321), 65.4% (157/240) in girls aged 8-<9, 10-<11 and 11-<12 years, and 6.6% (34/513), 18.7% (51/273), 21.6% (57/264) to 13.3% (96/722), 46.4% (140/302), 47.5% (105/221) in boys aged 9-<10, 12-<13 and 13-<14 years, respectively. Conclusions: BMI is positively correlated with sexual development in both Chinese boys and girls, and the correlation is stronger in girls. Obesity is a risk factor for precocious puberty in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, and 6-<10 years of age is a high risk period for early development in obese girls.

Features of Physical Development in Adolescents Aged 12–14 Years: Assessment and Analysis

BACKGROUND: The review examines the main stages of the formation of anthropometric monitoring of the physical development of children and adolescents in pediatric practice. Various factors that have a complex effect on the growth and physical development of the child’s body are shown. AIM: The aim of research is to identify features of physical development in adolescents aged 12–14 years and make assessment and analysis. The importance of conducting modern research to determine the anthropometric indicators of the norm for children and adolescents living in different regions is indicated. The research was conducted in educational institutions. METHODS: A total of 756 boys and girls aged 13–14 were examined. The study of the main trends in the formation of physical and sexual development of children and adolescents over the past decade can serve as a basis for the development of measures to preserve reproductive health. RESULTS: Assessment of the physical development of children showed that 72-73% of children aged 13-14 years have a harmonious (normal) physical development. Among 14-year-olds, the deficit is relatively more common among girls, and the excess is the opposite among boys. CONCLUSION: The progress of the external signs of puberty at the height of puberty was determined by the actual age (internal clock, i.e., the genetic program) and, in addition, and independently of this, the achieved body weight.

An investigation into the relationship between self-perception and sexual development in children attending preschool education

ABSTRACT In this study, our objective was to examine the relationship between the self-perception and sexual development of children aged between five and six. The study group of the study included 110 children in the five–six age group attending pre-primary education institutions in Erzincan city center and their mothers. As part of this research, the DeMoulin Self-Concept Scale for Children was used to evaluate the children's self-perceptions, and the Family Form of the Selcuk Sexual Development Scale-Sexual Identity and Gender-Related Behavior Subscale for mothers was used to evaluate the children's sexual development. As a result of the research, we found that, in fact, there is a relationship between sexual identity and self-efficacy and self-esteem, which are the sub-dimensions of self-perception. We found that self-efficacy is a significant predictor of sexual identity; however, we could not establish unequivocally that there was a significant relationship between gender-related behavior and self-efficacy and self-esteem.

Determination of sexual developmental characteristics of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in order to determine the opinions of mothers on sexual development in children with intellectual disabilities. The sampling of this study included mothers of children aged 10-19 years with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. Of the mothers, 45.7% stated that they felt incapable of providing sexual education to their adolescent children with disabilities and 97.6% stated that they had received no information on this subject themselves. Based on the mothers' opinions, the mean score for the sexual development of adolescent children was 11.33 ± 16.18. In the sub-dimensions of sexual arousal (20.97 ± 5.71), sexual harassment (12.22 ± 3.13), sexual satisfaction (15.79 ± 3.85) and sharing sexual issues (12.74 ± 2.67) the mean score of the scale was found to be high. The knowledge levels of the mothers concerning the sexual development of their children with intellectual disabilities were found to be low, and they required education on this issue.