Physical Development of Adolescents

Height & Weight During puberty, it is not unusual for a teen to grow 3-5 inches every year for several years. By age 16, males are often bigger and stronger than most females the same age. Many teens may reach their full adult height by the age 16.

Physical Development Between the ages 11 and 18, a typical male will double his weight form 75 pounds to 150 pounds and in the same time span, he will grow about 14 inches. Females usually don’t grow much taller after about the age 15. The average height for females is just slightly over 5 feet 4 inches; the average weight for a female is also 125 pounds at the age of 18. Few teens are actually average.

Sexual Development in Females Girls generally begin to mature sexually by the age of 11 or 12. During this they experience rapid growth. Menstruation begins about two years after the breasts develop. The beginning of menstruation periods indicates that a girl’s body has an increased production of the hormone estrogen. Girls entering puberty may experience weight gain because the addition of body fat is one of the effects of estrogen. The menstrual cycle is the way the female body discards an unfertilized egg each month and then replaces it with a new one. An average menstrual period lasts from 3-7 days.

Sexual Development in Males Boys on average mature sexually about two years later than girls. Between the ages of 13 and 15, boys’ genitals become larger, and their testes, or testicles, begin to produce sperm. Additional changes are caused by testosterone, a hormone produced by the testicles. A boy has reaches puberty when he experiences ejaculation.

Healthy Habits-Nutrition Puberty and related growth spurts have an impact on nutritional needs. A balanced diet of nutritious foods is needed to fuel growth, as well as normal body processes. Teens typically consume more calories than usual during growth spurts. Overeating, especially of high-calorie foods, can lead to obesity. Parents should offer more healthy foods.

Healthy Habits- Hygiene Personal cleanliness routines become more important in adolescence. Perspiration odor and oily skin and hair are the most common problems. Fortunately, most teens care about their appearance and how they are perceived by others. Regular baths or showers remove dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells. Deodorant or antiperspirant helps control body odor. Clean clothes help present a fresh image.

Healthy Habits- Exercise A moderate amount of daily exercise is important for everyone, including teens. Nearly half of young people in the united states between the ages of 12 and 21 don’t exercise on a regular basis. Physical inactivity sets the stage for possible obesity and the development of other health problems later in life. There are many ways teens can add exercise to their daily routine. Doing so helps the body cope with stress and strengthen muscles including heart muscles.

Healthy Habits- Sleeping The body, especially the brain and nervous system, restores itself during sleep. Teens need at least eight and a half hours of sleep a night but most only get 7 hours. They tend to go to bed late and then find it hard to wake in the mornings. Time management and a regular sleep schedule can help teens get enough rest. The negative affects of too little sleep include the following: Difficulty concentrating in school and lower grades Becoming irritated more easily and loosing emotional control Impaired coordination and slower reaction time Decreased resistance to illnesses