Question:
How fast do humans really grow? And when and why is this their fastest time
of growth?
Replies:
IF you define fastest in terms of percentage increase in weight or length, the
fastest growth would be before birth, when a single cell converts into a 7-pound human
about 18 inches long in only 9 months. If you define it in actual length or weight per
time, it is probably during adolescence, maybe between ages 10 and 18. Before birth,
growth is partly controlled by the normal mechanisms of development within the fetus,
with nutrients and raw materials provided by the mother. After birth, growth is
determined by a specific hormone, called growth hormone, released by the brain.
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