Study Unit 7.2: part 7 (HMSC 112) Growth and Development Notes

Body mass and stature are two important measurements of growth.
Body mass measures the composition of different independent fibre compositions.
Stature measures the composition of linear dimensions consisting of the lower extremities (legs), trunk, neck, and head.
Linear measurements are more genetic (hereditary) than body width and circumference.
The distribution of fat and the beginning of the menstrual cycle in girls are mainly hereditary.
Environmental and nutritional factors may, however, have a short-term influence on this factor.

As regards to development, there is a bigger difference between an average and an early developer than between an average and late developer.
Late developers, as regards to the stature of the body, will catch up on the early developers at about early to late adolescence.
This does not apply to body mass. In comparison, they will most likely have small mass in relation to the stature of their bodies.