Teens undergoing puberty will have many changes in their
developing bodies as growth surges and muscles change shape. Often
these changes are quite dramatic.
There's a very broad range of time in which kids hit
puberty-related growth spurts. Most girls start their sexual
development between the ages of 8 and 13, and have a growth spurt
between the ages of 10 and 14. Most boys start developing sexually
between the ages of 10 and 13, and continue to grow until
they're around 16.
Growth and Changes During Puberty
Puberty - or sexual maturation - is a time of dramatic change
for both boys and girls. Hormone-driven changes are accompanied by
growth spurts that transform kids into physically mature teens as
their bodies develop.
It's important for them to have healthy eating habits, a
well-balanced diet, and some physical activity each day to ensure
continued growth and proper development during these years.
These characteristics describe the sequence of events in girls
as they go through puberty:
- Breasts begin to develop and hips become rounded.
- The increase in the rate of growth in height begins.
- Pubic hair begins to appear, usually within 6 to 12 months
after the start of breast development.
- The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris,
increase in size.
- Pubic hair is well established and breasts grow further.
- The rate of growth in height reaches its peak by about 2
years after puberty began (average age is 12 years).
- Menstruation begins, almost always after the peak growth rate
in height has been reached (average age is 12.5 years).
Once girls start to menstruate, they usually grow about 1 or 2
more inches, reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or
15 years (younger or older depending on when puberty began).
Boys tend to show the first physical changes of puberty between
the ages of 10 and 16 years. They tend to grow most quickly between
ages 12 and 15. The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2
years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped
growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.
Other features of puberty in boys include:
- The penis and testicles increase in size.
- Pubic hair appears, followed by underarm and facial
hair.
- The voice deepens and may sometimes crack or break.
- The Adam's apple, or larynx cartilage, gets bigger.
- Testicles begin to produce sperm.
At the Doctor's Office
Normal growth - supported by good nutrition, adequate sleep, and
regular exercise - is one of the best overall indicators of your
teen's good health. Despite data collected for growth charts,
"normal" heights and weights are difficult to define.
Your teen's growth pattern is largely determined by genetics.
Shorter parents, for instance, tend to have shorter kids, whereas
taller parents tend to have taller kids.
Although you may worry if your child isn't as tall as other
classmates, the more important question is whether your child is
continuing to grow at a normal rate. If your doctor detects a
problem - such as a growth rate that had been proceeding normally
but has recently flattened - he or she may track your child's
measurements carefully over several months to determine whether the
growth pattern suggests a possible health problem or is just a
variation of normal.
It's not unusual for teens to have their own concerns about
how they're growing and how they look. Girls can be very
critical of their own weight, which can sometimes lead to unhealthy
body image concerns and dieting practices. Boys tend to be more
concerned with their height and muscle development, which can also
lead to unhealthy practices, like using steroids and protein
supplements.
If you're concerned about your teen's body image, or
eating and exercise habits, the doctor's office is a good place
to discuss this. Many teens worry a lot about being different from
their peers and about anything that would make them not fit in or
seem "normal."
Encourage your teen to bring up any of these concerns with the
doctor, if he or she feels comfortable doing so. The doctor can
provide reassurance that other kids have the same concerns about
their size.
If you have any other concerns about your teen's growth or
development, talk with your doctor.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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