What are the changes in muscle/fat during puberty?

What are the changes in muscle/fat during puberty?

• A. Males store more fat.
• B. Females typically have more fat, while males have more muscle.
• C. Fat and muscle distribution remains the same.
• D. Fat decreases in both genders.

Answer: (B)

During puberty, hormones shift how the body builds fat and muscle. Testosterone in boys promotes muscle growth, leading to more lean mass, while estrogen in girls encourages fat storage, resulting in a higher overall fat percentage and fat distribution in areas like the hips, thighs, and breasts. Because of these hormonal effects, it’s common for females to have more body fat and for males to have more muscle after puberty. The other statements don’t fit this well-established pattern: fat changes with puberty, and distribution isn’t the same for both genders, nor does fat simply decrease in both.

During puberty, hormones shift how the body builds fat and muscle. Testosterone in boys promotes muscle growth, leading to more lean mass, while estrogen in girls encourages fat storage, resulting in a higher overall fat percentage and fat distribution in areas like the hips, thighs, and breasts. Because of these hormonal effects, it’s common for females to have more body fat and for males to have more muscle after puberty. The other statements don’t fit this well-established pattern: fat changes with puberty, and distribution isn’t the same for both genders, nor does fat simply decrease in both.