Why Girls Grow Faster Than Boys
Jan 13, 2025
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Why do girls grow faster than boys when they are young.
The reason is related to the beginning of puberty. Girls usually begin puberty between the ages of 10 and 12, about two years earlier than boys.
Professor Kim Shin-hee of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at the Catholic University of Korea's Incheon St. Mary's Hospital said, `Girls' growth rate increases as they begin puberty with chest development at the age of 9-10, and the peak height velocity (PHV) comes around the age of 12. At this time, on average, he is 8-9cm tall per year, and after that, as the peak weight velocity (PWV) comes, he usually begins his first period at the age of 12 years and 6 months to 13 years. In other words, as the chest comes out, he becomes taller after the puberty begins and then he gains weight, so he gets his period", he explained.
Growth usually slows down six months before menstruation begins, and high concentrations of female hormones (estrogen) promote bone maturation and close the growth plate. In general, long bone growth is almost over two years after the start of menstruation.
In the case of children who progress rapidly during puberty, puberty progresses faster than normal age, and growth ends faster. Growth from the beginning of menarche to the final adult height varies from 1 to 12 cm depending on the individual, but most of them are only 2 to 3 cm.
On the other hand, boys begin puberty about a year later than girls, and their growth rate remains slow for a while even after puberty begins. This is because girls are taller first and gain weight later, but men are taller as they gain weight first. Professor Kim Shin-hee said, `Usually, puberty begins at the age of 10 and grows 5 to 6 cm per year at a rate similar to that of pre-adolescence for about 2 years, and then grows 10 to 11 cm per year as the growth rate accelerates after the age of 12 and the peak height rate (PHV) comes at the age of 14.'
The role of growth and sex hormones is also important. A girl's estrogen stimulates the growth plate in the early stages of puberty, helping to grow quickly.
On the other hand, boys' testosterone acts more strongly in the second half of adolescence, starting at a slower rate of growth, but lasting longer thereafter. There is also a difference in when the growth plate closes. Girls tend to start puberty faster, so their growth plates tend to close earlier than boys. Professor Kim Shin-hee said, `In general, girls' growth plates close at the age of 16-17, and boys often close at the age of 18-20. In addition, genetic and environmental factors such as parents' growth patterns, nutritional status, sleep habits, and exercise also affect height growth.
In conclusion, girls grow faster than boys because of a combination of biological factors, hormone secretion, and the timing of closing the growth plate.
However, the final height is that men are taller than women, because the fastest growing period (PHV) is 12 years old for women and 14 years old for men, which is 18 to 24 months earlier for women, but at the highest growing period (PHV), women grow 8 to 9 centimeters per year and men grow 10 to 11 centimeters per year, and men grow 2 centimeters per year. In addition, men have a longer period of time when puberty begins late and the growth plate closes late, which is why men are taller than women.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.