Final answer:
Growth spurts during puberty happen at different times for males and females. Females typically start between 8 to 13 years old and males between 10 to 16 years old. Adult height is usually reached for girls by 16 and for boys by 17.
Step-by-step explanation:
Growth spurts occur during puberty, where there is a rapid increase in height. For females, this usually begins between 8 and 13 years old, and they typically reach their adult height between 10 and 16 years old. Males begin their growth spurt a bit later, typically between 10 and 16 years old, with adult height reached between 13 and 17 years old. The adolescent growth spurt is a significant developmental phase, marked by changes in body composition and shape, influencing overall adult stature.
Both nature (genes) and nurture (nutrition, medications, medical conditions) can influence the timing and magnitude of growth spurts. During the growth spurts, females can increase their height by about 3 inches per year, whereas males can experience increases as much as 4 inches per year. The peak rate of growth varies between the sexes, causing on average a difference in adult height.