Health Care
13 to 18 is a time of dramatic change for both boys and girls. Hormone-driven changes are accompanied by growth spurts that transform kids into physically mature teens as their bodies develop.
It's important for them to have healthy eating habits, a well-balanced diet, and some physical activity each day to ensure continued growth and proper development during these years.
These characteristics describe the sequence of events in girls as they go through puberty:
Breasts begin to develop and hips become rounded.
The increase in the rate of growth in height begins.
Pubic hair begins to appear, usually within 6 to 12 months after the start of breast development.
The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris, increase in size.
Pubic hair is well established and breasts grow further.
The rate of growth in height reaches its peak by about 2 years after puberty began (average age is 12 years).
Menstruation begins, almost always after the peak growth rate in height has been reached (average age is 12.5 years).
Once girls start to menstruate, they usually grow about 1 or 2 more inches, reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or 15 years (younger or older depending on when puberty began).
It's important for them to have healthy eating habits, a well-balanced diet, and some physical activity each day to ensure continued growth and proper development during these years.
These characteristics describe the sequence of events in girls as they go through puberty:
Breasts begin to develop and hips become rounded.
The increase in the rate of growth in height begins.
Pubic hair begins to appear, usually within 6 to 12 months after the start of breast development.
The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris, increase in size.
Pubic hair is well established and breasts grow further.
The rate of growth in height reaches its peak by about 2 years after puberty began (average age is 12 years).
Menstruation begins, almost always after the peak growth rate in height has been reached (average age is 12.5 years).
Once girls start to menstruate, they usually grow about 1 or 2 more inches, reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or 15 years (younger or older depending on when puberty began).
Normal growth — supported by good nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular exercise — is one of the best overall indicators of your teen's good health. Despite data collected for growth charts, "normal" heights and weights are difficult to define. Your teen's growth pattern is largely determined by genetics. Shorter parents, for instance, tend to have shorter kids, whereas taller parents tend to have taller kids.
Although you may worry if your child isn't as tall as other classmates, the more important question is whether your child is continuing to grow at a normal rate. If your doctor detects a problem — such as a growth rate that had been proceeding normally but has recently flattened — he or she may track your child's measurements carefully over several months to determine whether the growth pattern suggests a possible health problem or is just a variation of normal.
Although you may worry if your child isn't as tall as other classmates, the more important question is whether your child is continuing to grow at a normal rate. If your doctor detects a problem — such as a growth rate that had been proceeding normally but has recently flattened — he or she may track your child's measurements carefully over several months to determine whether the growth pattern suggests a possible health problem or is just a variation of normal.