ANALYSIS OF THE GROWTH SPURT AT AGE 7 (MID-GROWTH SPURT)

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (4) , 325-334
Abstract
A statistical analysis of the mid-growth spurt from the data of the First Zurich [Switzerland] Longitudinal Study is presented. A small but significant mid-growth spurt was found in most height and length measurements and in some girth and width measurements, such as chest circumference, bihumeral and biiliac width. The mid-growth spurt seemed to be slightly more pronounced in boys than in girls. The peak of the mid-growth spurt occurred between 6.5-8.5 yr. The height of the peak varied from 0.3 to 0.7 cm/yr for the different measurements (estimated from the smoothed median velocity curves). In a peak-centered analysis a mid-growth spurt of standing height was observed in 2/3 of the children. It occurred about 1 yr earlier in girls than in boys, and averaged 1.4 cm/yr. The mid-growth spurt is due to a transient increased growth rate of the bones, particularly the long bones, and possibly of fat and muscle tissue. In contrast to the growth spurt of the extremities, the spurt of the rump height is not a true growth phenomenon but the result of a postural change occurring at .apprx. 6.5 yr of age.

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