Research on the onset of puberty has revealed that:
A) the average age of menarche now occurs at about 15 years old.
B) the average age at puberty is increasing in Europe and North America.
C) menarche depends on a critical level of body fat.
D) there is little variability in the time of puberty onset.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Menarche (the onset of menstruation) is dependent on a critical level of body fat, as the hormonal changes necessary for menarche require a certain amount of adipose tissue. The average age of menarche varies globally, but in developed countries it typically occurs between 12 and 13 years old. There is also some evidence that the average age of puberty may be decreasing in developing countries, possibly due to improvements in nutrition and healthcare.

Research on the Onset of Puberty Has Revealed That