PUBERTY AND BODY IMAGE Michael P. Goldman, MD Sandhya Brachio, MD Ryan A Gise MD Liz Seashore, MD
Do Now Why do you think it is important for doctors to be able to talk about puberty without getting embarrassed?
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Objective #1: Changes during puberty
Changes during Puberty Boys Both Girls
Changes during Puberty Boys Both Girls Penis and testicles grow Stronger muscles Voice changes Breasts may grow Make sperm Grow taller Body odor Acne (pimples) More body hair Mood swings More aware of what other people think Crushes or attraction to others Breasts grow More body fat Menstrual periods Release eggs
Objective #2: Timing of Puberty, Tanner Staging and Growth Charts
Timing of Puberty Boys Girls Testicles start to grow 10-13yrs Body hair starts to grow 10-15yrs Penis starts to grow 11-13yrs Growth spurt 14yrs Breasts start to grow 8-13yrs Body hair starts to grow 8-14yrs First menstrual period 10-16yrs Growth spurt 12yrs
Development
Puberty in girls:
Puberty in boys:
Growth There is a growth spurt during puberty. Red arrows note typical age for growth spurt. Note that the slope of the lines get a bit more steep at this time.
Your Turn! Plotting yourself on a growth curve
Objective #3: Body Image, Self-esteem, and the Media
What is Body Image? What is Self Esteem? How someone feels about his or her own physical appearance. How much someone values themselves for who and what they are.
Influences on body image Culture (music, fashion) Media (TV, internet, magazines) Diet businesses Peers, family, friends, relationships Activities (sports, dance)
Who are these people/what do they do for a living? Why were these people chosen for the particular ads? What do they look like/what characteristics do they share? Who are these ads trying to appeal to? How do the people in these images fit in with the product they are selling? Why were they chosen?
How have these ads been changed? Airbrushing and digital enhancement How have these ads been changed?
Airbrushing
Can you spot the airbrushing mistakes in these images?
Dove commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhib8XiDc9Y
Objective #4: Talking about difficult topics…
What makes some topics difficult? Topic may be: Examples:
What makes some topics difficult? Topic may be: Personal Private Embarrassing Taboo Gross Examples: Puberty Sex Periods Poop/pee Gas Body odor Weight Illness Emotions
What Can Help?
What Can Help? Convince yourself you are not embarrassed. Practice in a mirror. Practice with other students. Know the topic well. Explain why you are asking: health reasons vs curiosity. Use technical or medical terms. Use visual aids.
Let’s practice!
What a face! Find a partner, have 1 person face the powerpoint, and 1 sit with their back to it. Practice saying the “easy” list and the “hard” list in front of your partner. Have your partner write down what happens to your face, body language and voice when you say the “easy” list versus the “embarrassing” list. Switch
Easy: If a person gets a cut on the knee, they can use a bandage for the blood. During middle school some boys start to play sports. It is normal for teenagers to have best friends. After eating a big meal a lot of people get full. Hard: When a girl gets her period, she can use a pad or a tampon for the blood. During puberty some boys may grow breasts. It is normal for teenagers to have fantasies or sexual dreams about someone. After eating certain foods a lot of people get gas that may smell bad.
You’re the Doctor! Real world scenarios doctors deal with around puberty and body image…
For Your Consideration: Write an email to an advertising company letting them know how you would change the images they portray on TV/in a magazine/on a billboard, etc.