Human Biology 1010 (Spring 2012)

Kids Exposed to Bullying or Violence May Age Faster

New research shows that DNA of children who have been exposed to and experienced bullying or violence have faster telomere shortening rates and progressing their age. Researchers analyzed DNA samples from twins at ages 5 and 10 and compared telomere length to three kinds of violence: domestic violence, bullying, physical maltreatment from an adult. Mothers were interviewed when the children were 5, 7, and 10 for cumulative review. Results showed that those who were exposed to violence had an accelerated rate of telomere shortening, and that the highest rate occurred in children who were exposed to multiple forms of violence. http://children.webmd.com/news/20120423/kids-exposed-bullying-violence-may-age-faster