The age at which a person first becomes sexually active could be linked to how their body ages later in life, according to a new study by researchers in China cited by New York Post.
Scientists from Shandong University analyzed a large genetic database, examining DNA markers associated with the age of first sexual experience. Researchers then compared those findings with health indicators and quality-of-life measurements in adulthood.
The results suggested that people who became sexually active earlier in life were more likely to experience less favorable aging outcomes later on – ranging from physical frailty to poorer mental well-being and lower overall quality of life.
The researchers stress that the findings do not mean a single life event automatically determines someone’s future. According to study co-author Kaixian Wang, early-life experiences may be connected to a much broader set of factors, including mental health, impulsive behavior and chronic illnesses.
Among the strongest associations identified in the study were a higher tendency toward depressive symptoms, ADHD, chronic lung disease and what researchers described as a “frailty index” linked to the body’s overall resilience.
The study also comes amid noticeable shifts in behavior among Generation Z. In the United States, young people are increasingly delaying the start of their sex lives. National surveys show the average age of first sexual experience has been gradually rising, while experts have for several years discussed a so-called “sex recession” among Gen Z.
Researchers link the trend to changing dating culture, rising anxiety levels, the influence of social media and the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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