From the Research
Definition of Scammon's Curve of Growth
- Scammon's curve of growth refers to a graphical representation of human growth patterns, specifically the increase in height over time, from birth to adulthood 1.
- The curve was first introduced by Richard E. Scammon in 1927, based on longitudinal height data of one child from Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, converted to metric and plotted as a function of age.
Characteristics of Scammon's Curve
- The curve typically shows a rapid increase in height during childhood and adolescence, followed by a slower growth rate in late adolescence and early adulthood 2.
- The adolescent spurt, or rapid growth phase, usually occurs around 13 years in males and 11 years in females, with the mean values being significantly larger in males than in females at certain ages.
Applications and Related Concepts
- Scammon's curve has been used as a reference point for studying human growth and development, including the analysis of skeletal maturation and the growth of specific bones, such as the second metacarpal 2.
- The concept of growth curves is also relevant in other fields, such as animal science and demography, where it is used to model and predict population growth patterns 3, 4.