The pattern of human

growth
Growth is a process in which
our body increase in size,
appearance and function.
Growth is irreversible and
permanent
As a person grows, he
undergoes changes in body
shape and function

Human growth rate is not constant

Human growth can be determined by
measuring physical characteristics such as
height and weight
These measurements are plotted against
time to obtain a growth curved
Human growth is completed when an
individual reaches adulthood
The growth pattern for the human male and
female are not the same

Infant (0 2 years)
There is a period of rapid growth during
infancy.
The growth for male and female infants
are more or less the same
The weight of the baby trebles in the
first year
The babys head is large compared with
its body

Child (2 11 years)
During the childhood stage, the
growth rate is slow for both sexes,
Physical Development - Growth is
slow
steady.
They have
gainedfaster than
butbut
boys
grow
slightly
control of their major muscles. Most
girls have a good sense of
children

balance. They can stand on one foot

and walk on a balance beam. They
enjoy performing physical tricks.
They enjoy testing muscle strength
and skills. They like to skip, run,
tumble, and dance to music. They
can catch small balls. They can
manage buttons and zippers. They
can learn to tie their shoelaces. They
can print their names. They can copy
designs and shapes including

Adolescent (11 18
years)
During the early stage of adolescence, girls
grow more rapidly than boys. This is
because they reach puberty earlier than
boys
Boys reach puberty at about the age of 14.
Thereafter, they begin to show rapid growth
Girls achieve their maximum physical
growth by the age of 18, while boys
continue to grow until they are about 20
years old.

Adult (above 18)

Normal growth stops around
the age of about 20
Men are usually taller and
heavier than women during
adulthood

Old age
An elderly person
will lose weight and
height because the
body shrinks
The person is said to
have negative
growth

Children need a balance diet

for normal growth
If they do not get enough
nutrients from their diet, their
physical and mental
development will be affected.