Factors that affect physical development:

Genetic and hereditary

A number of studies have shown than physical growth both in body and height is
governed by hereditary factors. They suggest that weight can also be observed
to follow similar patterns that correlate with growth spurts. Puberty signifies a
marked growth spurt with a rapid increase in size and weight. Each experience of
puberty will vary in each individual with the total duration lasting about 4 and
girls starting theirs at around the age of 11 and boys at 13.
Environmental
Physical growth is dependent on the kind of food that we eat and how much of it
that we consume. Nutritional content is very important and without the correct
diet, height and size can become impaired leading to low weight or obesity.
Education and family income can also play a part in child development. In
wealthier countries the association between wealth and being thin can come
from people being intellectually informed about their diet, and having the means
to afford such luxuries such as health clubs and low fat foods. Evidence also
shows that parents will model unhealthy eating habits for their children, who are
also dependent on their parents for what is put on the food table.
Hormones
The pituitary gland initiates change in the body by secreting a hormone into the
bloodstream and will also indirectly trigger other glands to release chemicals too.
Puberty will herald important physical changes not only in growth and height but
it also signals the onset of sexual maturity.
All the above factors will have some determination in determining when these
changes come about, and can include genetic, physical exercise (for example
ballerinas and gymnasts find that they start their periods later than the
norm),family factors involving conflict and psychological distancing between
father and daughter, economic background and self perception and behavioural
issues.
Gross and fine motor skills
All of us are individuals and we will learn to do thing in unique ways. For example
when a baby is born he will slowly learn to use processes such a crying, laughing
and smiling, and will practice mastering the skill of self automation. Some babies
may find novel ways of using their skills such as moving around on their bottoms
instead of crawling, or even pulling them upright and leaving out the crawling
stage altogether.
Initially we can see that motor skills develop in line with maturation of the neural
and muscular systems, but where gross motor skills can be said to be a reaction
to global influences and exposure to a certain stimulus, fine motor skills will be
enhanced by available opportunity and a supportive environment.

In conclusion, there are many factors that can be considered to have a major
influence on the development of a child. In comparison to other animals on the
planet the human being takes a long time to reach full maturation.
Theorists suggest that he reason for this is that we are influenced by the
confines of our environment, with factors such as culture, nutrition and the
opportunities for experience shaping our physical make up, and allowing us time
to build the necessary knowledge and skills to survive in a complex society of
modern life.

Physical Factors That Influence Child Development

Nutrition

Nutrition plays a critical role in child development. Getting the right amounts of protein,
calcium and vitamins affects brain, skeletal and sensory development. Children need vitamins A,
C and D for immune system development, calcium for bone development and protein
for brain and muscle development. Iron is important for proper blood development and is one of
the nutrients in which babies around the world are most deficient. A broad array of nutrients will
support all of the bodily systems children are growing and developing. Deficiencies in any
particular nutrient group, or general malnutrition can be very harmful and lead to developmental
delays and behavioral difficulties such as hyperactivity, mood swings and attention disorders.

Touching

Holding, touching and affection are also crucial to an infant's emotional and neurological
development. Numerous studies, including those by Dr. James Prescott of the Institute of
Humanistic Science, show that children who do not receive sufficient physical contact and
affection suffer developmental setbacks. Prescott's work emphasizes that a lack physical
bonding produces an unbonded child who is prone to becoming anti-social, violent, sociopathic
and psychopathic as an adolescent and adult.

Movement

Children are born with brains that aren't full developed. As they age, their neural
pathways become coated with myeline -- a lipid-based electrical conductor that makes it possible
for neural energy to transmit from one part of the brain to another. When myelination occurs,
children develop new capabilities -- cognitive and physical. While many factors affect
mylelination, movement is among the most important. Babies need time wriggling on their
stomachs to help trigger the myeline development needed to crawl. Crawling in turn triggers the
brain to begin the process of myelination to allow walking. Making sure children have the time
and freedom to move appropriately to their stage of development helps further development.

Premature Birth

Premature babies may start with challenges because they come out of the womb before
their gestational process is complete. Premature babies often develop slower than babies who
were carried to term. In cases of extreme prematurity, babies may need occupational therapy to
learn to suckle and even to better develop their ability to hold their necks and crawl.

Factors That Affect the Health of Children

Nutrition

You are what you eat. We've heard it a million times. Nutrition plays a vital
role in the health and development of children. Unhealthy conditions such
as high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides and obesity are all directly
related to improper nutrition, and these conditions occur frequently in
children.

Children who eat high-fat, unhealthy diets can experience coronary artery
damage by the time they are 10 years old, according to the Valerie Early, a
registered dietitian in an article for Hartwell Chiropractic on nutrition and
children's health. This can contribute to the early onset of cardiovascular disease
later in life and could potentially shorten the child's lifespan.
Height and brain development is also directly related to nutrition in the first
several years of a child's life.
Children should eat whole foods regularly, increase the consumption of fruits and
vegetables, eat moderate amounts of fats and carbohydrates, and limit sodas
and juices with sugar.
Proper Rest

Neurological development, social development and learning ability are

affected by proper rest and sleep habits. Children who get the right
amount of sleep on a regular basis will tend to develop better and will be
more relaxed, happy and well behaved.

Even small, but regular, deficits in sleep can lead to long-term effects on brain
function, according to WebMD. Children who sleep longer at night also tend to
have higher IQs.
Attention Skills

A child's ability to pay attention and concentrate may seem unrelated to

their physical development, but it is certainly connected, according to
WholeFamily.com. Kids with ADHD, for example, have a hard time focusing
on one specific task and are easily distracted. These poor attention skills,
whether they have the disorder or not, prevent some children from
completing certain tasks because they are unable to concentrate long

enough to complete it. The result is that they do not learn to complete the
task, which leads to a developmental deficiency.
While it may be true that a child is perfectly capable of learning how to build a
wall out of blocks, for example, if they never complete the task because they are
unable to pay attention long enough, then they have not conquered this basic
skill yet.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Sensory integration is the organization of all the information received from

the senses, such as smell, sight, hearing, touch, taste, as well as the
vestibular movement sense and the sense of position in space
(propriception). Some children may be overly sensitive in some areas,
causing developmental problems as a result, according to
WholeFamily.com.

Problems that may result from sensory integration imbalances include the
inability to identify things by smell, the dislike of the outdoors because of a
sensitivity to sunlight. or the inability of the child to enjoy various tasks because
of sounds or the way something feels on the skin.
Some children may even be unable to complete simple tasks such as sitting
down in a chair without missing the chair, or have a serious problem with motor
skills because of movement of position sensory problems.