Elsevier

Journal of Adolescence

Volume 25, Issue 5, October 2002, Pages 535-550
Journal of Adolescence

Regular Article
The measurement of puberty: a review

https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.2002.0494Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper has two main objectives. Firstly, to review the feasibility and validity of the various methods that have been used to measure puberty. With an appreciation of these measurement issues, the second objective is to summarize the evidence-base as to whether the age at menarche and the age at onset of puberty has decreased in recent years. In consideration of these methodologies, all of which report different levels of reliability and validity, it is only possible at present to draw inferences about possible changes in pubertal age and onset. Moreover, the wide variations in sample size, selection of participants (usually non-random), and study design reported in the reviewed studies have compounded this situation further. The paper closes by providing a summary of the findings which will be of relevance to those intending to critically review the current evidence surrounding age of puberty, as well as those set on carrying out future research into this area. Copyright 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

References (35)

  • T.C. Dann et al.

    Menarcheal age in University of Warwick young women

    Journal of Biosocial Science

    (1993)
  • L.D. Dorn et al.

    Perceptions of puberty: adolescent, parent and health care personnel

    Developmental Psychology

    (1990)
  • P.M. Duke et al.

    Adolescents' self-assessment of sexual maturation

    Pediatrics

    (1980)
  • P.B. Eveleth et al.

    Worldwide Variation in Human Growth

    (1991)
  • J.W. Finklestein et al.

    Self-assessment of physical sexual maturation in boys and girls with delayed puberty

    Journal of Adolescent Health

    (1999)
  • F. Finlay et al.

    Precocious puberty (letter)

    Pediatrics

    (2000)
  • M.E. Herman-Giddens et al.

    Secondary sexual characteristics in boys

    Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

    (2001)
  • Cited by (0)

    f1

    Reprint requests and correspondence should be addressed to: Lester Coleman, Trust for the Study of Adolescence, 23 New Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1WZ, U.K. (E-mail: [email protected]).

    View full text