Key Takeaways: Hunger, moodiness, and mysterious pains can all be signs of growth spurts in teens. Boys and girls are on different timelines when it comes to when growth spurts peak and end. For parents, understanding the unique nutritional needs of teens during intense growth periods is important for helping them to reach their maximum growth potential and feel their best. As kids get a little older, growth can seem more subtle because changes are very incremental throughout the middle childhood and preadolescence years. That changes in the teen years. It can seem like your child wakes up as a brand new person almost every single morning. While this is very new and exciting, parents are often concerned that their growing teens aren't getting the nutrients they need to fully maximize brain and body growth potential. Knowing the telltale signs of a teen growth spurt can help you to make sure you're providing key nutrients at all the right times. Take a look at how parents can spot growth spurts. At what age do teens have growth spurts? Every child's growth trajectory is different. However, there are some key times in development right around puberty that are crucial in determining a person's adult height. During childhood, height increases roughly 2.4 inches per year. This usually slows suddenly just before the onset of puberty. Once puberty begins, height increases an average of 3 to 4 inches per year. For girls, peak growth hits in the 12 months leading up to the onset of their menstrual cycle before slowing. However, there's still an opportunity for a girl who has started menstruating to grow another 2 to 3 inches with the right nutrition. For boys, growth spurts can continue much longer into the teen years. On average, boys can continue to grow in height two years longer than girls. It's also common for boys to grow 3 to 4 inches per year as a result of growth spurts during puberty. What Are the Signs of Growth Spurts in Teens? As any parent of a teen knows, reading the cues of your child as they plod forward into adulthood isn't always easy. Luckily, there are some pretty clear indicators when it comes to when their bodies are in growth phases. This includes: They Need New Shoes: Did you know that research confirms that our hands and feet actually grow at a faster pace than the bones in our arms and legs? That means you're probably looking at a growth spurt if your teen is complaining that their shoes are suddenly too snug. They're Struggling to Wake Up: If mornings suddenly seem rougher than usual, there's a chance that your teen's body is using up extra energy for a growth spurt. Teens often require extra sleep during growth spurts because their bodies use sleep to fuel growth. Before assuming that your child is just being lazy, remember that teens actually need more sleep than adults. This can be hard for some parents to remember because they perceive their healthy, vibrant teens as having so much more energy than they can even muster up on an average day. However, the sleep recommendation for teens is eight to 10 hours per sleep each night. Teens who have rigorous academic schedules or play sports may actually need a little extra sleep beyond the recommendation. Irritability/Moodiness: Teen growth spurts are accompanied by hormonal surges. Sudden increases in hormones like estrogen and testosterone alter a teen's brain chemistry. This comes at a time when regulating emotions and impulses is already challenging. That's why parents should look out for signs like frustration, mood swings, and heightened sensitivity that indicate a teen is in the middle of a growth spurt. Clumsiness/Imbalance: When a growth spurt is happening, a teen can suddenly feel like a stranger in their own body. If you notice that your teen suddenly seems clumsy or prone to accidents, this could be a sign that a changing center of gravity that comes from adding an inch or two to height is throwing them off balance. Dull Aches: Yes, growing pains are real. If your teen complains of a general dull ache affecting their legs, this can be the result of the physical discomfort of their body elongating! Growing pains often happen at night. Hunger: Does it seem like you can't keep the fridge or pantry stocked once your teen gets home from school? An unending appetite is a core sign of a teen growth spurt. It's common for parents to wonder how their lanky, stick-thin teen can be such a bottomless pit without actually showing any noticeable signs of growth. The answer is that an increase in hunger can precede a growth spurt by months. However, parents can rest assured that all of those extra nutrient-rich calories are actually making a difference. 📌 Explore the best supplements for teens – see which one fits your child’s needs. The Core Nutrients Teens Need During Growth Spurts The truth is that not all calories are created equally when it comes to growing teens. This is a crucial time for nutrition because teens need certain vitamins and minerals to be able to reach their full height and growth potential. Here's a look at the essentials for a teen diet: Protein: Protein feeds muscles and brain tissue during critical growth periods. Do your best to make things like lean meats, raw nuts, poultry, and eggs available at most meals. Calcium: Calcium and other growth height supplements can be critical for helping teens to get the bone growth they need at such a fast pace. Luckily, favorites like yogurt, cheese, and milk are all full of it. If your teen isn't a big fan of dairy, foods like fish, seeds, nuts, leafy greens, and fortified cereals are also high in calcium. Vitamin D: Prioritize vitamin D right alongside calcium. This vitamin actually helps a teen's body to absorb calcium. Milk, fish, and eggs are all wonderful sources. Magnesium: Magnesium is a major player when it comes to helping teens form strong skeletal tissue and nerve function. Final Thoughts: Yes, It's Probably a Growth Spurt While things may feel a little tense in the moment, parents can rest assured that hunger, moodiness, and tiredness are all signs that a teen's growth is charting along exactly as planned. The key for parents is making sure that nutritional demands are being met to ensure that a teen can feel their best while also reaching their growth potential. Related post: Who Is The Tallest Person In The World Right Now?
