Final answer:
Girls typically begin their adolescent growth spurt one to two years earlier than boys, starting around age 9 to 11. This leads to a shorter period of rapid growth for girls, which contributes to the fact that adult females are on average 10 centimeters shorter than adult males.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adolescent Growth Spurt and Puberty Differences between Genders
The timing of the adolescent growth spurt varies between genders, with girls typically beginning their growth spurt one to two years earlier than boys. For girls, this growth spurt starts around the age of 9 to 11 and is often marked by the development of breast tissue as one of the first visible changes of puberty. Compared to boys, girls experience a shorter growth spurt and reach their adult height approximately around age 15. In contrast, boys begin puberty between the ages of 11 and 12 leading to a longer period of rapid growth. This difference in timing and duration of growth results in adult women being, on average, about 10 centimeters (4 inches) shorter than adult men.
The reason behind these differences in growth patterns is due to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty, which initiate the growth spurt. In girls, the first external sign of puberty is often the development of breasts, followed by the growth of axillary and pubic hair. The onset of puberty is also associated with other significant physical and neurological developments, including changes in body composition, increase in height and weight, and the maturing of the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
Summary of Puberty Changes
- Girls begin puberty between the ages of 9 and 10, while boys begin between the ages of 11 and 12.
- The growth spurt for girls starts earlier but is shorter, resulting in a smaller adult stature compared to boys, who grow faster and for a longer duration.
- By adulthood, the average difference in height between genders is approximately 10 centimeters (4 inches).