3.

Environmental factors affecting growth and development—environmental effect on

growth can be seen by following phenomena.

a) Migration in population—when a section of population migrate to other land they

experience different environment than their mother population. It has been seen that
Japanese migrants to Hawaii experienced increased height and weight in new
environment compared to their mother population of japan.
b) Twin Study—MZ twins raised under different environment shows differences in growth
and development. These differences are due to different environment.

3.1 effect of climate and seasonal variation—effect of climate and seasonal variation on
human growth is often measured by body size and proportion. Two basic ecological rule
towards thermal adaptation are—Bergman’s rule and Allen’s rule. Bergman’s rule-population
of same species of warm blooded animal near equator are less bulky than that of population
near polar region. Allen’s rule—populations of warm blooded animal near equator have
longer extremities and limbs compared to those living in colder region.

3.2 Effect of nutrition on growth and development—adequate nutrition that is

carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals etc are needed for optimal growth and development
both during prenatal and postnatal phase of life.

 Effect of nutrition in prenatal phase—nutrition required for both physical and

cognitive development of foetus. For example Vitamin B needed for brain
development in foetus and lower IQ in children born. Malnutrition at conception
or pregnancy leads to premature birth, low birth weight or even infant mortality.
 Effect of nutrition in postnatal phase—during infancy and early childhood
mother’s nutrition is important, as child derives nutrition from breastfeeding.
Deficiency of essential nutrients results in week immune system and growth
retardation. For example Kwashiorkor due to protein deficiency. On supply of
nutrition the growth rate catches up. The catch-up growth is faster in female
than male.
However chronic undernutrition in children retards the growth in height and weight
and delay maturation towards adulthood. Deficiency of micronutrients such as
vitamins and minerals affect children’s immune system plus physical and cognitive
development of children. Rickets in children due to Vitamin D deficiency. Iodine
deficiency cause thyroidism in children. During adolescence poor nutrition delays
 menarche. It causes early onset of menopause.

3.3 Effect of socio-economic and cultural factors on growth and development—Tanner

(1972) has well documented effect of socio-economic factors on growth and development.
Children of same age group from well off and educated family are always taller than children
from poor economic strata. Various socioeconomic factors as described below--

 Home condition—home condition provides social and emotional need for normal
growth. Depression and grievances in family deprive children both physical and
cognitive development. According to Tanner personality and intelligence of
parents makes home condition conducive for growth and development of
children.
 Economic deprivation and faulty family budgeting—economic conditions are
one of the main cause of socio-economic differential of growth and development.
Children from poor economic strata often suffer from nutritional deficiency, thus
stunted growth and underweight. Faulty family budgeting that is budget devoid of
child centered budget also hamper growth and development of children.
 Minor illness—due to poor nutrition, children from weaker section strata are
prone to disease which affect normal growth and development.
 Habit of smoking—smoking is quite prevalent in weaker section of people,
children born out from such mother often are underweight. Tanner states that
smoking causes birth of children who are 100 gm less and 1 cm smaller in height
on an average,
 Social mobility—in general intelligent boys are taller than average boys. Being
intelligent taller boys show greater social mobility towards the upper strata.
Average boys being less intelligent are push to lower strata.

Conclusion—though growth and development are biological phenomena yet they are
influenced by environment. As environment changes, growth and development also varies.

Effect of heridetary/genetics:

Phenotype: trait from parents decide the phenotype ex tall parent will have tall child, features
like size of the head, structure of the chest are decided gentically.

Characteristic of parents: parent with high IQ are likely to have child of high IQ, subnormal
mother likely to have low IQ child.
Biorhthm and maturation: Daughters attaining menarche at similar age as their mothers
moreover Similar length of menstrual cycle is also observed.

Skeleton maturity:

Sex :Boys are heavier & taller than girls at birth and this is maintained till 11 yrs of age. pre
pubertal Growth spourt occurs earlier in girls . Once again the boys grow taller than girls once
they reach the prepubertal growth spourt.

Race:Growth potential of children is as per their racial groups ex:a japanese boy can be kept at
very good diet, and can be made bit longer burt his trunk will remain shorter and sitting height
will not increase.

Study of twin: many growth aspect remains same in monozygotic twins. Eg age of menach in
MZ is 2 months apart, in DZ 10 month apart. similarly number and development stages of
bone ossification remains same in MZ twins

Dental eruption: both deciduos and permanent theeth geneticaly detmined, event before 2 and
6-13 age like eruption and calcification is perhapas most rigidly genetic in nature.

Environment :

Prenatal condition:Uterus shields the fetus from external adverse conditions.Maternal

nutritional deficiencies Mal positions, metabolic , endocrine disturbances. Infectious
diseases( or diseases like rubella, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, herpes Rh incompatibility, smoking ,
alcohol and intake of certain drugs.severly effects the child growth.ex Maternal malnutrition
leads to intrauterin growth retardation-->learning disability.

Post natal causes:

emotional factor:Children from broken homes and orphanages do not grow and develop in an
optimum level.

Climate:

Nutrition:

Chronic and viseral diseases

Socio economic level:

Psychological stress: