Which of the following is the first physical sign of puberty in most females?

A. The development of pubic hair is incorrect as the first sign of puberty in most females. Pubic hair usually appears after the onset of breast development and is part of adrenarche, which occurs later in puberty. B. Breast development is correct. The initial sign of female puberty is thelarche, or the development of breast buds, typically occurring between 8 and 13 years of age. Breast development signals the beginning of gonadarche, the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. C. The onset of menstruation is incorrect because menarche usually occurs 2–2.5 years after breast development. Menarche indicates more advanced pubertal development rather than the first sign. D. The growth spurt is incorrect because although girls experience a rapid increase in height during puberty, the growth spurt usually occurs after breast budding begins, not before.