When Do Girls Stop Growing: Factors Influencing the Cessation of Maturation

puberty girls maturity growth

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Feb 25, 10:21 am

Girls typically stop from growing around the age of 15, reaching their adult height as adolescence ends. This developmental process occurs earlier in girls than in boys.

Onset of Growth Spurts in Girls

During infancy and toddlerhood, growth spurts were notable, causing fussiness, increased hunger, and disrupted sleep.

As children age, growth becomes more gradual, often unnoticed until a need for new clothing arises.

Upon entering puberty, rapid changes resume, with potential height increases of up to four inches in a year.

The conclusion of puberty-associated growth for girls varies, but it commonly occurs around age 15 or 16, while boys may continue growing until about age 18.

Most girls experience a significant growth spurt related to puberty around age 11.

Puberty before age 8 or the absence of changes by age 15 or 16 is considered unusual.

The best period for adolescence is around age 11, preceding a girl's first period, which typically happens at an average age of 12.1 in the U.S.

During the initial growth spurt, various physical changes occur, including height increase, breast development, growth of pubic and underarm hair, enlargement of reproductive organs, and the onset of acne, sweating, and body odor.

Mood swings and changes in foot size are also common.

After the first growth spurt, a second smaller one often happens after the start of menstruation, marking the edge of physical growth.

Factors that impact growth include genetics, nutrition, weight, and hormone-related conditions. Hormones from the thyroid and pituitary glands regulate puberty onset, and chronic illnesses like juvenile arthritis and diabetes can impact growth.

Signs that a child has seized their adult height include a reasonable slowdown in growth over the last one to two years, the start of menstruation, full growth of pubic and underarm hair, and a more adult-like presence.

Determinants Affecting Girls' Height

Various factors influence the ultimate height of girls, and while the onset of puberty may indicate when height growth concludes, other significant determinants come into play.

Key influencers include

Genetics: The height of biological parents often serves as a predictor, with children of taller parents more likely to attain greater height, while those with shorter parents may end up shorter than average.
Genetic Disorders: Conditions like Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, Achondroplasia, and Russell-Silver syndrome can have a significant effect on dignity.
Chronic Conditions: Constant disease like inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease have been identified as possible difficulty to normal growth, as noted by Indiana University Health.
History of Malnutrition: Childhood malnourishment can negatively disturb height by observing proper nutrient intake, leading to slowed weight gain and short stature growth.

Puberty and the Psychological Well-being of Girls

Puberty marks an important shifting phase in a child's life, assisted by a length of emotional variations.

Distinguishing between normal changes and signs of conditions like anxiety and depression can be challenging.

To aid teenagers during this period, the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) recommends considering the following questions

Social Connections: Does the child have at least one close friend and an adult confidant, like a family member or teacher?
Engagement: Is the child involved in a hobby, sport, activity, or area of interest?
Emotional Well-being: Does the child express happiness or contentment at least occasionally? Persistent lack of joy may warrant attention.
Risk Factors: Is the child engaging in risky behaviors like substance use, self-harm, or destructive actions, posing a threat to their well-being?

If moodiness or irritability is observed but the child has robust support systems, these changes may align with typical puberty-related experiences.

However, if a child appears to be struggling without sufficient support or if there are concerns about their well-being, consulting with a doctor is recommended.

In cases of immediate risk to a child's safety, seeking emergency assistance is crucial.

NAMI recommend that parents and caregivers can contribute to their teens' mental health by

Non-judgmental Listening: Allowing a supportive space for teens to explicit themselves without fear of awareness.
Healthy Lifestyle: Offering healthful food, freedom for physical exercise, and supportive good sleep habits.
Calm Conflict Resolution: Maintaining composure in the face of conflicts, fostering a stable environment for the teen's emotional well-being.

If a child hasn't shown signs of hormonal development by age 15, seeking medical advice is recommended.

However, patience is advised before this age, as the puberty timeline varies widely.