What To Expect During An Adolescent Growth Spurt

As the human life cycle unfolds and children turn into adolescents, a whirlwind of physical and emotional changes begins to occur. One of the most noticeable changes during this time comes by way of growth spurts. As adolescents undergo rapid growth and development, navigating the vastness of these changes can be challenging for both parents and adolescents. In this article, we’ll explore what to expect during an adolescent growth spurt and how parents can effectively support their children through the different stages of adolescent growth.

What is an adolescent growth spurt?

The majority of human growth occurs during the adolescent or teenage years. This crucial point of development, often referred to as puberty, is characterized by a multitude of simultaneous changes that include growth acceleration, alteration in body composition, and appearance of secondary sex characteristics.

During this period, teenagers typically experience rapid and uneven physical growth as their bodies undergo significant changes. Typically referred to as growth spurts, these transitions are primarily driven by hormonal changes, particularly the release of growth hormones.

When does the adolescent growth spurt happen?

On average, adolescents typically experience growth spurts between the ages of 10 and 16. However, girls usually experience growth spurts between the ages of 8 and 13, while boys tend to go through them when they’re 10 to 15. The duration can range from several months to a few years, with growth rates varying during different stages and among various adolescents. 

Peak height velocity and timing by puberty stage

Peak height velocity is the adolescent stage when a child grows in height at the fastest rate. During this time, the long bones lengthen quickly, and teenagers can grow several inches in a single year. For clinically normal girls, this happens around Tanner stage 2-3, usually around ages 11-12. For boys, it often happens during Tanner stage 3-4, between ages 13-14. 

Physical changes during an adolescent growth spurt

During an adolescent growth spurt, the body experiences rapid physical changes as the skeleton grows quickly. The long bones in the arms and legs lengthen as the growth plates near the ends of these bones produce new bone tissue. This allows teenagers to gain significant height in a short amount of time. At the same time, most other skeletal elements also grow and strengthen, and bone density gradually increases as the bones become thicker and more durable to support the larger body. 

During this phase, adolescents typically reach peak growth rates between the ages of 10 and 14. This increase in skeletal growth velocity usually results in the addition of several inches to their stature within a short period.

Hormonal fluctuations

Hormones play a key role in adolescent sexual development. Adolescents typically experience hormonal fluctuations, which cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as:

• breasts
• facial hair
• pubic hair distribution

During this time, those with a gynecological reproductive system typically face the onset of menstruation, while people with an androgynal reproductive system may notice the enlargement of their testicles and the deepening of their voices.

Are growth spurts preventable?

Growth spurts are not preventable. They’re a natural part of every child’s development, caused by biological processes that happen during puberty. Hormones such as growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and sex hormones signal the body to grow and cause the long bones to lengthen.

Emotional and behavioral changes during growth spurts

Adolescents experience a wide range of emotional and behavioral changes. While certain symptoms are common, there is no standard set of adolescent changes. 

Mood shifts, sleep changes, and emotional outbursts 

The rapid changes that occur during the adolescent growth spurt can often have profound effects on the emotional well-being of both parent and child. During this period, adolescents may experience:

• mood swings
• emotional outbursts
• heightened sensitivity
• increased self-consciousness as their bodies grow and change. 

Adolescents may find that their emotions are stronger than before or that they’re having feelings they’ve never had in the past.

It can be vital for parents and caregivers to practice patience as an adolescent experiences these rapidly shifting moods. Ensuring an adolescent knows what they’re experiencing is normal may help them accept the changes with more ease.

Appetite changes and increased hunger

Adolescent growth spurts are often accompanied by appetite changes and notably increased hunger. This is a normal part of the adolescent stage, as a rapidly growing body requires significantly more energy and nutrients. Many teenagers find themselves eating larger meals or needing more frequent snacks.

Development is not one size fits all

Every child grows and matures at their own pace, and the timing of physical and emotional changes can vary widely. It helps to understand the difference between developmental milestones and growth spurts. Developmental milestones are specific stages children typically reach around a certain age, such as the beginning of puberty or the development of secondary sex characteristics. A growth spurt, however, refers specifically to when the body grows very quickly in height and weight over a short time. 

One common reason for later growth is sometimes called constitutional delay. This simply means that a child is developing more slowly than average but is otherwise healthy. Children with constitutional delay often start puberty at a late age compared to their peers. Usually, those children catch up and reach an average adult height.

How to support your teen through a growth spurt

As teenagers become sexually mature and experience an increase in height, weight, and muscle mass, it can be important for parents and caregivers to provide them with support by way of proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and other forms of support. Having a general understanding of this transformative phase is often helpful for parents and caregivers working to guide adolescents toward overall well-being and healthy development. Keeping the lines of communication open about these changes may help ensure adolescents view them in a positive light.

Online therapy for parents and adolescents navigating puberty

In many cases, therapy can be a valuable resource for parents looking to help their child navigate adolescence, including the growth spurts that come along with it. With therapy, parents can gain a deeper understanding of their adolescent’s needs and emotions while also receiving personal guidance and professional support. For busy parents, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can offer a more flexible and affordable option for receiving specialized care. Additionally, teens can find virtual counseling options through TeenCounseling, a platform offering services to those aged 13-19. 

Online therapy operates with the client in mind, which means sessions can be scheduled around complex availabilities, and participants can use video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging to speak with their therapist. The convenient access and freedom of online therapy may make it a viable alternative to traditional therapy.

The efficacy of online therapy during puberty

Along with ease, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, online therapy has proven to be as effective as in-person options. In one study, researchers found that a digital cognitive behavioral therapy intervention reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety and that these results were maintained at 6- and 9-month follow-ups. In a study assessing adolescent perceptions of online therapy for mental health concerns, researchers discovered that adolescents valued its stigma reduction. Further, 72% of them reported they would use online therapy if they needed support.