Young boys are growing up FAST.
In fact, some are reaching puberty at the age of nine - a study reveals.
American researchers discovered that boys are showing the first signs of adulthood up to two years earlier than once believed - with better nutrition and superior overall health possibly being responsible.
Marcia Herman-Giddens, a professor of The University of North Carolina, said: "This should have an impact on the public health community.
"Genetics take maybe hundreds, thousands of years so you have to look at something in the environment.
"That would include everything from exercise to junk food to TV to chemicals."
Dr Frank Biro of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital added: "If kids are looking older, it means that parents should be monitoring them, because that superego doesn’t kick in until late teens or early 20s.
"The kids need a hand to know what they’re doing," he said.
The study also revealed that girls are hitting puberty much younger, with some developing breasts as young as age eight.
