Acceleration (human development)

This applies equally to the growth of certain anthropometric parameters and the speed of reaching sexual maturity.

The newest data set for the average height of adult male birth cohorts, from the mid-nineteenth century to 1980, in 15 European countries was studied (in the populations listed).

During a century average height increased by 11 cm representing a dramatic improvement of this phenomenon.

The apparent acceleration of body height occurred during the periods around the two World Wars and after the Great Depression.

In the mid-nineteenth century European girls' menarche occurred at the average age of 16.5 years.

Secular trend in decrease in age of menarche in Western European and North American girls
After: [ 1 ]
Stature comparison between American-born children of European descent and earlier populations of the same heritage
After: [ 2 ]