When do girls reach their final adult height, and at what age will a girl stop growing? After a girl gets her first period, she will typically grow about 1-2 more more inches in height. A girl will typically reach her full adult height by age 14 or 15. This age could be younger or older depending on the age when she entered puberty.
[sc: inlinead]When do Girls Stop Growing?
Girls do initially grow faster than boys, but it turns out, the age a girl stops growing is dependent on the age she enters puberty and gets her first period. Additionally, how tall a girl will be is ultimately controlled by genetics.
There is a very broad range of age in which a girl enters puberty-related growth spurts.
Many girls start puberty between ages of 8 and 13, and have a growth spurt between the ages of 10 and 14. Girls have their biggest growth spurt before menstruation begins, generally getting their first period around 12 1/2 years of age.
During puberty, it’s important for girls to maintain regular exercise and a balanced diet in order to ensure proper growth and development.
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Growth Spurts in Height for Girls by Age
Menstruation occurs slightly after the peak in height velocity. This fastest growth spurt for girls is usually between age 12-13, with girls gaining about 3 inches in height per year. Girls stop growing around age 14-15, about 2 years after the onset of menstruation.
Factors which Influence the Height of Girls
- Genetics: How tall a girl will be is likely to be a similar to her parents. For example, shorter parents tend to have shorter children, whereas taller parents tend to have taller children.
- Healthy Eating: Proper nourishment, like protein and calcium, is important for both muscle and bone development. Growth can be slowed when a healthy diet is not maintained.
- Exercise: Proper muscle development helps maintain posture and good bone alignment which can influence the final height a girl will obtain. Sit up straight is actually good advice, to help lengthen the spine and strengthen back muscles, both of which elongate the torso and impact a girl’s final height.
What a Girl Can Do When Concerned About Her Height
- Try not to compare yourself with other girls. Remember, girls come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you think you are too short, or too tall, you can be proud of your body.
- Be patient. Mother nature sometimes takes time. If you began puberty at a later age, you will likely encounter your growth spurt at a later age as well too.
- Talk to your parent or doctor about any concerns you may have about your height.
Tips for Parents Concerned About Their Daughter’s Height
- Help instill a sense of pride and self-confidence in your daughter, no matter what size and shape her body maybe.
- Remember that normal growth rates for girls are dependent upon when she enters puberty. There is a broad range of normal ages and growth rates for girls.
- Parents should focus on helping their daughter maintain healthy eating habits and to maintain routine doctor visits.
- Talk to your child’s doctor about any concerns you may have about her height.
Signs of Puberty in Girls
- Breasts and hips begin to grow.
- Growth rate increases; the fastest growth spurt for girls is before her first period begins
- Pubic hair begins to appear, usually within 6 to 12 months after breast development starts.
- Sexual organs increase in size (The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris.)
Height Growth Spurts in Girls, Based on the Tanner Stages of Puberty
What are the Tanner Stages of Puberty for Girls?
Puberty is marked by distinct stages of physical development known as the Tanner stages, named after Professor James Tanner, a child development expert.
While the Tanner stages give average ages of puberty development, there is significant variation among children and teenagers. Parents and teens shouldn’t worry if they reach a stage of puberty earlier or later.
Tanner stage one: Before Puberty
This period is sometimes referred to as pre-pubertal.
Tanner stage two: Puberty Begins
- In girls, puberty usually begins at around 11 years of age, although it can occur anytime between 8 and 14.
- Girls grow taller about 3 inches per year during this stage
- Breast buds develop
- Pubic hair begins to develop
Tanner stage three: Growth Rate Peaks
- In girls, this stage usually begins after the age of 12.
- Growth rate peaks; girls grow an average of 3.2 inches a year — their highest growth rate.
- Breast development continues; girls need their first bra.
- Acne may development
Tanner stage four: Menstruation Begins
- This stage usually starts at the age of 13 for girls.
- Growth rate begins to slow to an average of 2.8 inches per year.
- Menstruation begins
Tanner stage five: Final Adult Height and Body
- This final stage usually occurs at just over 14 years of age.
- Girls will stop growing about 1-2 years after menstruation begins, reaching their full adult height by age 14-15.
- Breasts and genitals are fully developed at the end of this stage.
