On 10.56, 11.86 and 13.55 years, in order.

Onanalyzing data for boys in our study, we found that, the mean age of testicularenlargement ? 4ml (stage G2) was 11.

5±1. 01 years. The mean age of pubarche was12.

2±0. 90 years, for axillary hair (AH2) was13. 8±0. 58 years. All these valuesare later than values that reported by Ghaly et al. 14 whoshowed the mean age for stages G2, PH2, and AH2 around 10.

56, 11. 86 and 13. 55 years, in order. A total duration of about 3. 5 years from stage G2-G5 in maleparticipants was recorded. This was nearly the same as reported by Marshall etal. 6 and Ghaly et al.

14. Incomparison with other studies, participating males experienced the onset ofpuberty (G2) at earlier age than seen in boys of Turkey and Denmark, but itlater than boys of Switzerland and Greece, and nearly as same as white Americanboys 2. Regarding pubarche (PH2), the mean age was 11. 86±1. 45 years; which was later than other population as boys in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy, andUSA 2.

Regarding the axillary hair (AH2), the mean age was13. 8±0. 58 years; this was later than Greek and Bulgarian boys, but earlier than boys from the UKand Sweden 2. On comparing males had BMI ? 85th percentile and thosewith normal BMI (5th – < 85th percentile) regarding themean age for genitalia and pubic hair development; there was no relationbetween them and BMI. Thisis consistent with Laron 22 but inconsistent with Herman-Giddenset al. 23 who suggested that earlier start of puberty inoverweight boys. Eventually, we found that, the onset of puberty was about 6 months earlier in females thanin males (figure 1).

This is in agreement with Marshall et al. 6 who found the same result. Genetic and environmental factors play animportant role in determining the onset and progression of such a vitalcondition.   Conclusion: The pubertal stages in the present study are parallel toincreasing the age of the participants of both sexes as reported in otherliteratures. However, the initial sign of puberty for the participants is laterthan previous reports can be attributed to sample size, environmental factors, nutritionalstatus and rural residence. A significant association between increased BMI andthe earlier pubertal timing in females put the way towards discovering factorscontrolling this dynamic event among Egyptian children.