What happens during growth spurt and sexual maturation according to brief below

Question

During early adolescence, physical changes are so rapid and intense that it is known
as the growth spurt. This spurt is initiated by the secretion of the growth hormone,
known as somatotrophin. This hormone stimulates the growth of essentially all tissues of
the body, including bone (Utiger, 2020), and has a significant effect on weight and height.
For interest's sake: somatotrophin is given to children with dwarfism (short stature) to
help them grow in cases of growth hormone deficiency (Shiel, 2020).
Although there may be individual differences, in healthy populations, the growth
spurt of girls begins at about 10 to 13 years and ends at 16 years or later, while among
boys it begins at 12 to 15 years and ends at about 18 years or later. Although the growth
spurt begins two years earlier in girls than in boys, boys grow more rapidly than girls do
during adolescence (Tanner, 2019). This means that by the end of the growing phase, boys
on average are taller than girls of the same age are. Girls reach their adult height towards
late adolescence, while boys reach their adult height during their early twenties.
Although all the parts of the body grow rapidly, the tempo of growth is different for the
various body parts. This disproportionate growth tempo of the different body parts is known
as asynchrony (Mcinerney et al., 2017). The first parts that show accelerated growth
are the legs, arms, hands, and feet. The torso (upper body) then begins to lengthen. This
elongated body with long arms and legs, and big hands and feet often causes adolescents
to look awkward and uncoordinated.
When the growth tempo of the skeleton starts decreasing, the mass and muscle
development of the body begins to increase, and the long-legged stage ends. In girls, the
body contours become more rounded (due to the widening of the hips), whereas boys
become more angular (due to the broadening of the shoulders).
However, as mentioned before, the uniqueness of each individual should be considered. While some 12- or 13-year-old adolescents may already have the mature
bodies of adults, other adolescents of the same age may still have the childlike bodies
of 10-year-olds. As with all developmental differences, these differences could also be
attributed to the complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors.

Answer 1

During the growth spurt and sexual maturation in early adolescence, significant physical changes occur rapidly due to the secretion of growth hormone, known as somatotrophin. This hormone promotes growth in almost all body tissues, including bones, leading to noticeable increases in height and weight.

Key Features of Growth Spurts and Sexual Maturation:

1. Timing:

   • Girls: The growth spurt typically begins between ages 10 to 13 and may continue until age 16 or later.
   • Boys: The growth spurt starts later, between ages 12 to 15, and can last until around age 18 or later.
   • Even though girls start their growth spurts earlier, boys tend to experience more rapid growth during adolescence, resulting in boys averaging taller height than girls by the end of their growth phases.

2. Growth Patterns:

   • Growth occurs at different rates in different body parts, creating a phenomenon called "asynchrony."
   • Initial growth is most pronounced in the legs, arms, hands, and feet, followed by the elongation of the torso. This can lead to an awkward appearance as adolescents adjust to their changing proportions.

3. Body Composition Changes:

   • As skeletal growth slows, muscle mass and overall body development increase. Boys typically develop broader shoulders, becoming more angular, whereas girls gain more rounded body contours due to wider hips.

4. Variability in Development:

   • Adolescents vary in their developmental stages, with some children exhibiting mature adult-like bodies while others may still resemble younger children. This variability is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

In summary, the growth spurt and sexual maturation are characterized by rapid physical changes, with differences in the timing and pattern of growth between genders, along with individual variability due to genetic and environmental influences.