After completing this chapter you should be able to:

• Summarize patterns of body growth and biological and contextual influences on growth during infancy and childhood.
• Discuss the physical changes that occur with puberty, influences on pubertal timing, and the psychosocial effects of early and late puberty. 
• Identify normative patterns of physical and reproductive change as well as explanations for the causes of aging. 
• Analyze the influence of eating habits, obesity, and physical activity on physical development and functioning over the lifespan.