Pubertal origin of the larger sex dimorphism for adult stature of a Chilean population.

Students aged 6 to 20 years attending the public schools in the Northern Area of Santiago, Chile, were examined to search for the developmental origin of the large sex dimorphism in adult stature found in this population. Stature, biacromial diameter, and signs of sexual maturation were studied and comparisons were made with European samples. All of the variables showed that Chilean females reach puberty earlier than, and cease growth before Europeans, while males mature at the same pace as Europeans. It is concluded that the large sex dimorphism in adult stature found in this sample is mainly due to this earlier cessation of growth in Chilean females.