Up to what age do men and women grow? This is a question usually asked of the doctor in charge of controlling and monitoring the development of children. The subject has motivated multiple studies from perspectives that include genes and variables such as geographic and socioeconomic aspects.
Do you want to discover all the details? On what factors does it depend? When does it stop growing? All this and more are below.
Contents
How does growth occur in humans?
One of the guidelines is that sex does influence. Girls usually develop before boys. As early as eight years, hormonal variants in women may appear in men around ten years. With this difference of about two years, the changes will occur during growth.
For this reason, during adolescence, there is a moment of schooling in which this margin becomes evident among classmates. They return to a new school year in which only the girls have grown up, and their bodies have been distributed differently. Her hips are more accentuated, and her breasts are noticeable. Often, a year later, the boys will return with stronger muscles and taller than the women.
People grow as part of evolution and development. It is a physiological process that gradually occurs as the bones lengthen, gain weight, and mature.
The most significant growth spurts occur in the first year of life, between 5 and 7 years, and then in adolescence. This pubertal growth spurt constitutes the last moment of rapid growth in men and women, as explained in Chapter 13 of the book Traumatology and Orthopedics: Generalities (2019).
Adolescence and pubertal growth spurt
According to UNICEF Uruguay, adolescents range from 10 to 19 years, based on data endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). During it, the peak of maximum development occurs between 15 and 16 years of age in boys, while in girls, it occurs around 12.
Other emotional and physical changes accompany this stage. Parallel to the accelerated growth of the bones, that of the larynx occurs; This makes the voice more intense and severe, according to an article developed in 2015 by Manuel Fajardo Virtual Health University. On the other hand, the muscles are more defined; hair grows on the genitals, face, and other parts of the body.
The first manifestation of the pubertal growth spurt in girls is the formation of the breast bud, marking puberty’s onset. On the other hand, in boys, the first sign of puberty is the increase in the volume of the testicles.
In the case of women, the date of onset of menstruation seems to mark a rhythm that gradually slows down during growth. In general, it occurs one year after the peak of maximum growth. From there, they add between 4 to 6 centimeters more to the size.
When does growth stop in men and women?
Puberty is fundamental in development: it determines between 20 and 25% of the final height and up to 50% of the adult weight. According to a study carried out in 2017 by the Department of Endocrinology of Madrid, women reach their maximum height between 16 and 17 years of age, while in men, it can be delayed until 21 years of age.
Each person’s growth pattern is different. The earlier the age of onset of puberty is, it is estimated that the greater the height gain at the end of it.
However, the last link in the growth of the human being occurs with the maturation of the central nervous system. In this sense, the brain matures in stages, from the occipital to the frontal region, and obtains its final development between the ages of 25 and 30 in both sexes.
What factors does the growth of men and women depend on?
Growth, in both men and women, is highly dependent on genetics. Each person has a unique hereditary potential for bone mass development.
The latter is achieved only if other factors, such as physical activity and diet, are adequate. In this sense, the height that the human being reaches is also conditioned by the quality of the diet, physical activity, and sleep habits. The latter intervenes directly in growth hormone if good rest is developed, as indicated in an article published by the Journal of Neurology in 2016.
1. Diet
A healthy and balanced diet provides vitamins and minerals necessary for properly developing bones and muscles. Research, such as the following published in the Journal of Pediatrics, suggests that obesity is associated with a higher probability of early puberty in girls.
For its part, malnutrition is included among the secondary causes of short stature in both sexes, according to a study published by the Venezuelan Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
2. Sleep and growth hormone
Now, how does sleep influence growth? The body produces substances, including growth hormone (GH) or somatotropin, when sleeping. This is responsible for stimulating and coordinating the development of bone and muscle mass and the growth of all organs.
As well affirmed by research carried out at the Las Condes Clinic, sleep interruptions produce a significant decrease in GH secretion—one more reason why efforts should be made to create a good habit of night rest in children.
3. Thyroid
Thyroid hormones are necessary to obtain energy and structural sources for the construction and growth of tissues. Hence, congenital hypothyroidism is linked to growth problems in children, as stated by the Spanish Association of Thyroid Cancer (AECAT).
This is naturally noticeable at home as clothing or shoe sizes change. If it stops unexpectedly or unusually, a specialist must evaluate the child.
Can growth be stimulated?
According to professionals, growth can be stimulated in both men and women if done before or at the beginning of puberty. Therefore, they indicate protein and multivitamin supplements. This is most useful for children who experience short stature due to malnutrition.
According to research published in 2020 by the University and Society Magazine, zinc supplementation shows significant results in children with short stature growth. However, a diet supply of protein, minerals, and vitamins can make this measure hardly necessary.
Another way to stimulate growth is through the practice of sports. The Argentine Society of Pediatrics promotes moderate to intense physical exercise in young people for at least 60 minutes a day, three times a week. Above all, he recommends aerobic and musculoskeletal strengthening activities, depending on the age and response of each person.
What can cause growth disturbances in men and women?
The most studied reasons for short stature are genetic or hereditary disorders. Such is the case of Turner syndrome or congenital dysplasias, such as achondroplasia. In addition, other causes of impaired growth have to do with chronic diseases, such as kidney, liver, gastrointestinal problems, heart disease, or nervous system diseases, as reported in an article published by the Las Condes Clinical Medical Journal.
In the same way, endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, and calcium metabolism disorders, can also be the origin of height stagnation.
As already mentioned, socioeconomic factors that lead to malnutrition also have an influence (especially in the early years of childhood, which is essential for what will be developed).
Reversing these effects would imply maintaining control with a doctor specialized in development and growth. The professional will be able to conduct an exhaustive follow-up of the case. Without this guaranteeing that he can achieve it, it will be worth trying.
The age at which men and women grow is multifactorial.
While it is true that genetics play a significant factor in determining how tall a person will be, it has been proven that the environment, diet, physical activity, and rest are also important. Therefore, efforts must be made to create healthy environments and quality habits that stimulate this process. For this reason, in case of any concern associated with the child’s size, we invite you to consult a pediatrician.