We've long known that bullying can lead reek mental damage on victims. But researchers from Duke University have found that it can also affect a victim's genes, causing health problems later in life. 

After studying more than 200 children from England and Wales, scientists discovered that the telomeres (DNA sequences) in children exposed to violence (especially bullying) eroded at faster rates throughout their lives than in the non-bullying population. This effect leads to a host of physical problems, including faster aging and an increased risk of disease. 

Report the researchers:

Telomeres are special DNA sequences found at the tips of our chromosomes; much like the plastic tips of shoelaces, they prevent our DNA from unraveling. Telomeres get shorter each time cells divide. That erosion places a limit on the length of time that a given cell can go on dividing. Emerging evidence suggests that telomeres are “master integrators,” connecting stress to biological age and associated diseases.

We showed, for the first time, that cumulative violence exposure is associated with accelerated telomere erosion, from age 5 to age 10 years, among children who experienced violence at a young age (e.g., domestic violence, frequent bullying or physical maltreatment by an adult). Children who were exposed to multiple forms of violence had the fastest telomere erosion rate.

Researchers used the study to emphasize the importance and urgency of utilizing their results in anti-bullying initiatives. 

(H/t: ThinkProgress)

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