Question:
Hello,
I am nearly 16, and I’m 5’7 (171 cm). My Tanner stage is 4.0. I had acne at the start of 15, though most of it is cleared, and I only get them every 2-3 weeks. I have facial hair.
I haven’t grown much in the last year and want to determine if I can grow. My dad is 6’0, my mom is 5’4. I noticed I had about 4 to 5 stretch marks on my back 4 months ago. Am I having a growth spurt? If so, how much will I grow until I finish growing? What could my final height possibly be? I heard that growing slows down in Tanner Stage 4, but that doesn’t explain the stretch marks. I most likely entered puberty when I was 12, I always was the shortest one in primary school, im in highschool now and in my class Im still shorter than my peers.
Thank you for your time.
Answer:
Boys tend to grow 1 to 3 inches (2 to 8 cm) during the two years they are in stage 4. Most of that growth will come during the first year and then gradually taper off.
For estimates for your final adult height, see Predicting Your Adult Height.
Stretch marks are due to rapid changes that stretch the skin. Growth could cause it, but so can rapidly building muscle through exercise or adding extra weight. I can’t determine what caused your stretch marks.