Introduction

Between 5 to 8 years of age physical growth continues at a steady rate as the body is maturing. On average a child in this age group grows around 5 to 7cm a year in height and puts on weight at around 2 to 3½ kg per year. The internal organs are also increasing in size and muscle mass develops allowing the child to tone the muscles and develop their strength and dexterity.

Body proportions continue to take on a more adult pattern too. Changes in fat storage also affect body shape. The degree of fat seen in the 9 month old baby at the peak of fat deposits, lessens throughout childhood until around 6 to 7 years old, although girls continue to have more fat than boys. At this age, the levels of fat then rise again until the changes seen in puberty.

However, from the age of 8 years old things begin to change more dramatically. Hormonal changes that will eventually drive the process of puberty are beginning within the body. The child is said to be entering adolescence. Adolescence is characterised by the rapid physical changes and growth spurts as the body becomes reproductively mature. Puberty finishes in late adolescence as the body reaches full adult maturity