PHYSICAL/BIOLOGICAL

CHANGES IN HUMAN
GROWTH
GROUP 1
DELOS SANTOS, ARIESSA JOVIAL E.
DEMILLO, JOHN LERIS
LUALHATI, HANZ CHRISTIAN
CASTAÑARES, GENNY ROSE
 Adolescence
Adolescence is one of the most rapid phases of human
development. Although the order of many of the changes
appears to be universal, their timing and the speed of
change vary among and even within individuals. Both the
characteristics of an individual (e.g. sex) and external
factors (e.g. inadequate nutrition, an abusive environment)
influence these changes.
Many biological changes take place during the
adolescent years. Most obvious are the physical
changes, for example, increases in height,
acquisition of muscle mass, the distribution of
body fat and the development of secondary
sexual characteristics.
• Physical changes of puberty mark the onset of
adolescence (Lerner & Steinberg, 2009). For both boys
and girls, these changes include a growth spurt in height,
growth of pubic and underarm hair, and skin changes
(e.g., pimples). Boys also experience growth in facial hair
and a deepening of their voice. Girls experience breast
development and begin menstruating.
Physical Development
during Adolescence
Puberty Begins
Puberty is the period of rapid growth and sexual development that
begins in adolescence and starts at some point between ages 8 and
14. While the sequence of physical changes in puberty is
predictable, the onset and pace of puberty vary widely. Every
person’s individual timetable for puberty is different and is
primarily influenced by heredity; however environmental factors—
such as diet and exercise—also exert some influence.
Hormonal
Puberty involves distinctive physiological changes in
Changes an individual’s height, weight, body composition,
and circulatory and respiratory systems, and during
this time, both the adrenal glands and sex glands
mature. These changes are largely influenced by
hormonal activity. Many hormones contribute to the
beginning of puberty, but most notably a major rush
of estrogen for girls and testosterone for boys.
Hormones play an organizational role (priming the
body to behave in a certain way once puberty
begins) and an activational role (triggering certain
behavioral and physical changes). During puberty,
the adolescent’s hormonal balance shifts strongly
towards an adult state; the process is triggered by
the pituitary gland, which secretes a surge of
hormonal agents into the blood stream and initiates
a chain reaction.
 Sexual Maturation
• During puberty, primary and secondary
sex characteristics develop and mature.
Primary sex characteristics are organs
specifically needed for reproduction—the
uterus and ovaries in females and testes in
males. Secondary sex characteristics are
physical signs of sexual maturation that do
not directly involve sex organs, such as
development of breasts and hips in girls,
and development of facial hair and a
deepened voice in boys. Both sexes
experience development of pubic and
underarm hair, as well as increased
development of sweat glands.
 Physical Growth: The Growth Spurt
During puberty, both sexes experience a rapid increase in height
and weight (referred to as a growth spurt) over about 2-3 years
resulting from the simultaneous release of growth hormones,
thyroid hormones, and androgens. Males experience their growth
spurt about two years later than females. For girls the growth spurt
begins between 8 and 13 years old (average 10-11), with adult height
reached between 10 and 16 years old. Boys begin their growth spurt
slightly later, usually between 10 and 16 years old (average 12-13),
and reach their adult height between 13 and 17 years old. Both
nature (i.e., genes) and nurture (e.g., nutrition, medications, and
medical conditions) can influence both height and weight.
 Reactions Toward Puberty and
Physical Development
The accelerated growth in different body parts happens at different
times, but for all adolescents it has a fairly regular sequence. The
first places to grow are the extremities (head, hands, and feet),
followed by the arms and legs, and later the torso and shoulders.
This non-uniform growth is one reason why an adolescent body
may seem out of proportion. Additionally, because rates of physical
development vary widely among teenagers, puberty can be a source
of pride or embarrassment.
Early maturing boys tend to be stronger, taller, and more athletic
than their later maturing peers. They are usually more popular,
confident, and independent, but they are also at a greater risk for
substance abuse and early sexual activity (Flannery, Rowe, &
Gulley, 1993; Kaltiala-Heino, Rimpela, Rissanen, & Rantanen,
2001). Additionally, more recent research found that while early-
maturing boys initially had lower levels of depression than later-
maturing boys, over time they showed signs of increased anxiety,
negative self-image and interpersonal stress. (Rudolph, Troop-
Gordon, Lambert, & Natsuaki, 2014).
Early maturing girls may be teased or overtly admired, which can cause
them to feel self-conscious about their developing bodies. These girls are
at increased risk of a range of psychosocial problems including
depression, substance use and early sexual behavior (Graber, 2013).
These girls are also at a higher risk for eating disorders, which we will
discuss in more detail later in this module (Ge, Conger, & Elder, 2001;
Graber, Lewinsohn, Seeley, & Brooks-Gunn, 1997; Striegel-Moore &
Cachelin, 1999).

Late blooming boys and girls (i.e., they develop more slowly than their
peers) may feel self-conscious about their lack of physical development.
Negative feelings are particularly a problem for late maturing boys, who
are at a higher risk for depression and conflict with parents (Graber et
al., 1997) and more likely to be bullied (Pollack & Shuster, 2000).
 Brain Development
During Adolescence
The human brain is not fully developed by the time a
person reaches puberty. Between the ages of 10 and 25,
the brain undergoes changes that have important
implications for behavior. The brain reaches 90% of its
adult size by the time a person is six or seven years of
age. Thus, the brain does not grow in size much during
adolescence. However, the creases in the brain continue
to become more complex until the late teens. The
biggest changes in the folds of the brain during this
time occur in the parts of the cortex that process
cognitive and emotional information.
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