Measurement

Measurement
Human Growth Human Growth
Normal Human Growth
Normal Human Growth
l l Growth refers to increase in the size of the body or its Growth refers to increase in the size of the body or its
part, while biological maturation refers to the tempo and part, while biological maturation refers to the tempo and
timing of progress to the mature state timing of progress to the mature state
l l Growth accelerates just before and during puberty. Growth accelerates just before and during puberty.
Body size, body composition, and physiology are Body size, body composition, and physiology are
basically similar in boys and girls before puberty basically similar in boys and girls before puberty
l l The adolescent growth spurt and puberty mark the The adolescent growth spurt and puberty mark the
period in life when sex differences in development period in life when sex differences in development
become evident become evident
l l Peak rates for height or peak height velocity (PHV) are Peak rates for height or peak height velocity (PHV) are
observed in girls at about 12 years and in boys at 14 observed in girls at about 12 years and in boys at 14
years of age years of age
l l Due to the earlier growth spurt in girls, they become Due to the earlier growth spurt in girls, they become
both taller and heavier than their male counterparts both taller and heavier than their male counterparts
between 12 and 14 years of age between 12 and 14 years of age
l l Adult height is reached after a final phase of Adult height is reached after a final phase of
decelerating growth, at about 18 years in boys and 16 decelerating growth, at about 18 years in boys and 16
years in girls years in girls
Biological Maturation
Biological Maturation
l l Although human beings generally follow a similar Although human beings generally follow a similar
pattern of growth and maturation with regard to age, pattern of growth and maturation with regard to age,
some variations do occur between individuals of the some variations do occur between individuals of the
same chronological age. same chronological age.
l l These variations are especially apparent during the These variations are especially apparent during the
adolescent growth spurt adolescent growth spurt
l l The time at which the adolescent spurt begins varies The time at which the adolescent spurt begins varies
from child to child. from child to child.
l l Thus, within a given age group, children may have a Thus, within a given age group, children may have a
different maturity status. different maturity status.
Measures of maturity
Measures of maturity
l l vary depending on the biological system used vary depending on the biological system used
l l More commonly used maturity indicators are More commonly used maturity indicators are
skeletal maturation, sexual maturation, and skeletal maturation, sexual maturation, and
somatic maturation somatic maturation
Skeletal maturation
Skeletal maturation
l l refers to the degree of development of the skeleton as refers to the degree of development of the skeleton as
shown by X shown by X- -rays. rays.
l l ideal indicator of maturity because its development ideal indicator of maturity because its development
spans the entire period of growth. spans the entire period of growth.
l l The assessment from the radiograph is based on the The assessment from the radiograph is based on the
recognition of maturity indicators; the initial appearance recognition of maturity indicators; the initial appearance
of specific bone centers, gradual shape differentiation of of specific bone centers, gradual shape differentiation of
individual bones, and the fusion of epiphyses with their individual bones, and the fusion of epiphyses with their
respective respective diaphysis diaphysis
l l Currently, commonly used methods to assess Currently, commonly used methods to assess
skeletal maturation are the skeletal maturation are the Greulich Greulich- -Pyle and the Pyle and the
Tanner Tanner- -Whitehouse methods Whitehouse methods
l l Recently, the Recently, the Fels Fels method has been developed method has been developed
as an extension of the RWT method for the knee as an extension of the RWT method for the knee
to the hand and wrist to the hand and wrist
sexual maturity
sexual maturity
l l based on the development of secondary sex based on the development of secondary sex
characteristics, including the age at menarche for characteristics, including the age at menarche for
females. females.
l l Maturity indicators include : Maturity indicators include :
pubic hair development in both sexes, pubic hair development in both sexes,
breast development in girls, breast development in girls,
and genital development in boys. and genital development in boys.
l l The most commonly developmental criteria used for The most commonly developmental criteria used for
these characteristics are those described by Tanner these characteristics are those described by Tanner
(1962) which are based on a 5 (1962) which are based on a 5- -stage scale stage scale
Somatic maturity
Somatic maturity
l l most often viewed in terms of the timing of maximum most often viewed in terms of the timing of maximum
growth during the adolescent growth spurt, that is, age growth during the adolescent growth spurt, that is, age
at peak height velocity (PHV) at peak height velocity (PHV)
l l Age at PHV is derived by fitting growth curves either Age at PHV is derived by fitting growth curves either
graphically or mathematically to individual growth graphically or mathematically to individual growth
records for stature records for stature
l l Another indicator is percentage of adult stature; that is, Another indicator is percentage of adult stature; that is,
the height attained at a particular age expressed as a the height attained at a particular age expressed as a
percentage of adult stature. percentage of adult stature.
Menarche
Menarche
l l the first menstrual period, is also most commonly used the first menstrual period, is also most commonly used
maturity indicator for female adolescence maturity indicator for female adolescence
l l Age at menarche can be estimated with prospective, Age at menarche can be estimated with prospective,
status quo, or retrospective methods status quo, or retrospective methods
The prospective method is based on longitudinal studies in The prospective method is based on longitudinal studies in
which girls are examined at close intervals whether menarche which girls are examined at close intervals whether menarche
has occurred and when has occurred and when
The status quo method is used to estimate age at menarche The status quo method is used to estimate age at menarche
in a sample of girls in a sample of girls
The retrospective method requires the individual to recall the The retrospective method requires the individual to recall the
age at which she attained menarche age at which she attained menarche
l l Because different maturity indicators are Because different maturity indicators are
measured through different biological systems, measured through different biological systems,
there is variation in maturity status obtained from there is variation in maturity status obtained from
these indicators. these indicators.
l l Nevertheless, these maturity indicators are Nevertheless, these maturity indicators are
related to each other, except for dental related to each other, except for dental
maturation which is not strongly related to the maturation which is not strongly related to the
other maturity indicators other maturity indicators
Problems in Assessing Biological
Problems in Assessing Biological
Maturation
Maturation
l l For skeletal maturation, difficulties include the For skeletal maturation, difficulties include the
time needed for the assessment of so many time needed for the assessment of so many
bones, the expense of radiographic films, and bones, the expense of radiographic films, and
the risk of excessive radiation the risk of excessive radiation
l l The secondary sex characteristic is a continuous The secondary sex characteristic is a continuous
process upon which the stages are process upon which the stages are
superimposed superimposed
l l Assessment of secondary sex characteristics also Assessment of secondary sex characteristics also
involves invasion of individual privacy, which is a matter involves invasion of individual privacy, which is a matter
of much concern for many adolescents of much concern for many adolescents
l l Use of the retrospective method in determining age at Use of the retrospective method in determining age at
menarche may be unsatisfactory because a subject menarche may be unsatisfactory because a subject s s
recollection may be inaccurate, or some girls may recollection may be inaccurate, or some girls may
deliberately give an incorrect answer. deliberately give an incorrect answer.