Title: Human growth and constitution.

POPLINE Document Number: 201451

Author(s):

Tanner JM

Source citation:

In: Human biology: an introduction to human evolution, variation, growth, and adaptability, 3rd edition, [by] G.A. Harrison, J.M. Tanner, D.R. Pilbeam and P.T. Baker. Oxford, England, Oxford University Press, 1988. :337-435. (Oxford Science Publications.)

Abstract:

The study of growth is important in elucidating the mechanisms of evolution because the evolution of morphological characters necessarily comes about through alterations in the inherited pattern of growth and development. Growth also occupies an important place in the study of the individual differences in form and function in man, because many of these also arise through differential rates of growth for particular parts of the body relative to others. Child growth charts clearly demonstrate that the velocity of growth in height decreases from birth onwards, but that this decrease is interrupted shortly before the end of the growth period--the adolescent or pubertal growth spurt. There is a slight increase in velocity as well between about 6 and 8 years of age--the juvenile or mid-growth spurt. The author also discusses prenatal growth, fitting growth curves, growth curves of different tissues and different parts of the body, organization and disorganization of the growth process, post-adolescent growth, and the human growth curve as a primate characteristic.

Keywords:

Growth
Child Development
Age Factors
Longitudinal Studies
Cross Sectional Analysis
Child
Adolescents
Biology
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Studies
Research Methodology
Youth