Catch-up Growth

Catch-up growth refers to the accelerated growth some individuals experience after a period of slowed growth due to various factors, such as illness, malnutrition, or hormonal changes. This phenomenon is particularly evident in children and adolescents, where, after experiencing a setback, they can grow at a faster rate to reach or approximate the growth standards of their peers. Essentially, it’s the body's way of compensating for earlier deficiencies, allowing individuals to "catch up" in height, weight, or developmental milestones, particularly during critical growth phases in childhood and adolescence.