Physical development of the high schooler

The period of adolescence begins with
biological changes of puberty and ends with the
role and work of adult life.

 Early adolescence
 Middle adolescence
 Late adolescence

Adolescence is a period of transition in terms of
physical, cognitive and socio-emotion changes, physical
transition being particularly coupled with sexual
transformation,

In all cultures, biological changes comprises
the major transition from childhood to early to
early adolescence. This is manifested by a change
in physical appearance, a more rapid rate of
development(next to the speed of growth of the
fetus in the uterus) known as growth spurt. The
phenomenon commonly result in the feeling of
awkwardness and unfamiliarity with bodily
changes.

In addition, alterations in sleeping habits and
parent-adolescent relationship may be
experienced accompanying puberty changes.

The growth hormone conditions gradual
increases in body size, and weight, but hormones
flooding occurs during adolescence causing an
acceleration known as the growth spurt.
Body changes include change in body
dimensions(leg length, shoulder width, trunk
growth rather than leg growth.

In girls, the growth spurt generally begins at
age 10 reaching its peak at age 11 and-a-half, and
decreasing at age 13, while slow continual growth
occurs for several more years.
At age 16 and girls reach 98% of their adult
height,

HORMONES- are recognize to be powerful
and highly specialized chemical substances that
interact with body cell. The triggering by the
hormones of the hypothalamus glands on
hormones of the pituitary glands signal the entire
process of sexual maturation. During the process,
GONADOTROPIC HORMONES are secreted
by the anterior pituitary, which lies beneath the
base of the brain and are situated approximately
at the geometric center of the human head.

GONADS are the ovaries in the female and
the testis in the male, are then stimulated by the
gonatrotopic hormones, in turn stimulating their
own hormones. When the male testis is
stimulated by the gonadotropic hormones,
testosterone is secreted, while estrogen is
secreted when the female is stimulated.

Secondary male sex characteristics are
stimulated by testosterone, comprised by the growth
of the testis and scrotum ( recognized to be the first
sign of puberty), penis and first pubic hair ; the
capacity for ejaculation, the growth spurt, voice
change, facial hair development/ beard growth, and
continuing growth of pubic hair. The acceleration of
the growth precedes the first the first appearance of
facial hair growth. Occurring late in puberty, the
lowering of the voice, cause by the enlargement of the
larynx and double lengthening of the vocal cords, is
viewed to be the most obvious aspect of adolescent
development.

 In contrast with menarche, sperm ache signals
the first sign of puberty and sexual maturity in
boys. At about age 12 or 13, boys experience the
enlargement of the testis and the manufacture of
sperm in the scrotum, most likely experiencing the
first ejaculation of semen- a sticky fluid produced
by the prostate gland. The need to discharge
semen occurs more or less periodically following
pressure caused by the production of seminal fluid
by the prostate gland. Nocturnal emissions or “wet
dream” occur during sleep often caused by sexual
dreams.

 The striking tendency for children to become
larger at all ages has been perceived during the
past 100 years. Known as the SECULAR
TREND, the phenomenon reflects a more rapid
maturation compared with that occurring in
previous millennia. In 1880, for ex. The average
age at which girls and their first menstrual
period in well nourished industrial societies
was 15 and 17 years. This is not true, however,
in depressed societies wherein this period is a
bit later at about 15.5.

One hundred years ago, boys reached their
adult height at ages 23 and 25 and girls at ages 19
and 20. today, maximum height is reached
between 18 and 20 years for boys and 13 and 14
for girls.

Teenagers are not getting enough sleep, and
would want more sleep. Actually, lack of sleep is
likely caused by changes in adolescent behavioral
patterns. Teens often stay up late because they
enjoy it, especially with the advent of internet
music listening, video watching . About 90% of
teenager high school student report going to bed
later than midnight. Socializing with peers add to
the problem, causing difficulties in waking up
early and causing teenager to struggle to stay
alert and function productively.

Adolescents become aware of changes in
sexuality, thus undergoing a period of exploration
and adjustment. Learners from sectarian
(religious and gender exclusive ) schools are more
likely to consider sexual opened to be dangerous,
if not sinful. The case is not perceived among non-
sectarian or gender mixed schools, although more
dangers exist relating to heterosexual relationship
and early pregnancy among students in non-
exclusive schools.

Early or late maturation deserves due
consideration, as this can be a factor for
adolescent acceptance and comfort or satisfaction
with his/her body image. Among girls, physical
changes are more dramatic, but perceptions of not
being well developed as compared with their
peers can be a cause for timidity or shyness, if not
frustration.

In the of late maturing boys, the slack in
growth in the body build, strength, motor
performance and coordination may inhibit their
performance in curricular and extra-curricular
activities, such as sports. Being physically weaker,
shorter and slimmer would make them less apt to
be outstanding in leadership activities and in
sports. On top of these, late maturing teens are
seen by their peers as being more childish, more
inhibited, less independent, less self-assuring, and
less worthy of leadership roles.

Most adolescence desire an “ideal body”,
which is the same as being attractive or handsome
in face (features of the eyes, nose, lips, hair, etc.)
and in body (tall and muscular for boys and tall
and slender for girls).

In the developed countries like U.S. about
10% of adolescents have been known to take
anabolic steroids in tablet or in injectable form for
cosmetic and athletic performance purposes. It is
important to forewarn adolescents about the
severe harmful effects of long term use of
steroids: liver dysfunction, cancer and damage to
the productive system.

Short term effect are hair loss, severe acne,
high blood pressure, shrunken testicles and low
sperm production. Girl users develop irreversible
masculine characteristics, such as growth of facial
hair. Steroids may also foster aggressive and
destructive behavior. Finally, giving up the drug
may lead to depression and suicide.

Necessary for adolescent years are sufficient
amounts of vitamin B12 (found in animal
proteins), calcium, zinc, iron, riboflavin and
vitamin D. Magic diet schemes suggested by
advertising and magazines to lose weight, give a
radiant hair, whiten the skin, etc. should be met
with caution.

The vegetarian fad can also be disastrous
especially to adolescents who need vitamin,
minerals and protein which vegetable diets
cannot provide. Vegetable intake is good, but this
should be balanced with food intake to form high-
quality nutrition including eating protein sources
such as milk, dairy products and eggs.

It is a recognized fact that teens are the
poorest eaters among age group, as they often
skip meals, frequently take snack foods
(hamburger, fries, pizza ,soft drinks, etc.) at fast-
food eateries.

It’s important that adolescent feel confident
about their body image. The physical features of
the human body (facial looks, body size, color of
skin, etc.) depend on genetic heritage witch must
generally be respected. However with
advancement in hair and skin technology, change
in hair color and skin are no longer impossible.

There is more to body image than physical
looks and these concern good habits in relation to:
 Cleanliness and grooming
 Proper wearing of clothes following current
styles
 Erect bodily posture
 Eye contact while communicating
 Decorum (good form and confidence) and
decency

Physical development of the high schooler

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Physical development of the high schooler