The Developing Person Through Adolescence

Chapter 14

Adolescence:
Biosocial Development
Question: What is “Adolescence”?
 What age period do you think of when
you hear the word “adolescence”? Decide
when you think it begins and ends.

 What words or images come to your mind

when you hear the word “teenager”?
Make a list.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Adolescence
 Adolescence refers to the age period
between childhood and adulthood.
 TWEENS: 10-13 years
 TEENS: 13-18 years
 EMERGING ADULTHOOD: 18-25 yrs

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Puberty Begins

 Puberty is a period of rapid physical growth

and sexual maturation.

 The sequence of physical changes is

universal, but the timing varies (typically
lasting 3-5 years).

 Age of onset ranges between 8-15 years.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Puberty Begins (cont.)

 Menarche: the term for a girl’s first period.

It signals that ovulation has begun
(although is often irregular for a few years)

 Spermarche: the term for a boy’s first

ejaculation, which signals sperm
production has begun

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Hormones

 Puberty begins with a signal from the

hypothalamus–to the pituitary gland–to
adrenal glands (the HPA axis) and gonads.

 Gonads release testosterone and

estradiol.

 Hormones influence MOOD and THOUGHT.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Biological Sequence of Puberty

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Sexual Maturation

 Primary sex characteristics:

 The parts of the body directly involved in
reproduction (e.g., testicles, ovaries)

 Secondary sex characteristics:

 Not necessary for reproduction
 Examples: odor, acne, breast development,
hair, voice changes

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Sudden Emotions

 Hormones contribute to the conflict,

moodiness, and sexual urges of
adolescents, but are not the only cause.
 Social and cultural reactions to visible
body changes also play a large roll.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Make it Real: Sudden Emotions

 Can you recall a time being especially

embarrassed or angry during adolescence?

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Timing of Puberty

 Age of onset of puberty depends on:

 GENDER (girls ahead by months or years)

 GENES and ETHNICITY
 WEIGHT (malnutrition delays puberty)
 STRESS (causes puberty earlier)

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Bigger and Stronger
 The growth spurt is a sudden and rapid
period of physical growth during puberty.

 Sequence is weight, height, muscles.

 Females gain more fat, males gain muscle.

 The lungs and heart increase in size.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Other Physical Changes

 The lymphoid system (tonsils, adenoids)

decrease in size. This makes teens less
susceptible to asthma and colds.

 Skin gets oilier, sweatier, more acne-prone.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Body Rhythms

 Most teenagers’ bodies prefer to stay up

late and sleep in late.

 Teens also tend to get too little sleep for

their growing bodies.

 Lack of sleep has been associated with higher

risk of mood disorders and driving problems.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Health During Adolescence
 In general, adolescence is a HEALTHY
age period.

 Problem-free reproduction
 Peak athletic performance
 High energy and endurance
 Body systems function at an optimal level
 Death by disease is rare (worldwide!)

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Health During Adolescence

 Unfortunately, teens seem to engage in

behaviors that put their health at risk.
 The incidence of eating disorders has
also increased, especially among females.
 Fatal accidents, suicides, and
homicides are the leading cause of death,
especially for males.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Pregnancy in Adolescence

 Psychological effects withstanding, the

physical toll of pregnancy during
adolescence (especially age 15 or
younger) is problematic.

 Pregnancy may interfere with hormones,

height, and nutrition, and the girl’s uterus
may be not yet be mature.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Nutrition During Adolescence

 Teens’ lack of iron increases the risk of

anemia, and impairs muscle development.

 Teens’ lack of calcium increases the risk

of osteoporosis later in life.

 Vending machines in schools contribute

to poor eating habits among teenagers.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Obesity During Adolescence

 About 12% of teenagers are overweight

(BMI greater than 25), a higher percentage
than in earlier decades.
 Lifestyle choices seem to play a large role
in this (e.g., lack of exercise, too much TV).
 Fast food and soda pop also play a role.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
 Body Image
 Adolescents report that their body
image is the most
important predictor
of their self-esteem.

 Unfortunately, this
can lead to eating
disorders. PHOTODISC

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Anorexia Nervosa
 Anorexia involves self starvation.
 It is a refusal to maintain at least 85% of a
normal Body Mass Index (BMI).
 It includes disturbed body perception and
denial.
 It leads to a number of physical problems,
including lack of menstruation (females),
and perhaps even death.
Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Bulimia Nervosa
 Bulimia involves repeatedly overeating
and then purging via laxatives or vomiting.

 Diagnosis requires 1 episode a week for at

least 3 months, an uncontrollable urge to
overeat, and distorted body image.

 Bulimia can cause damage to the

gastrointestinal system or death.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14
Treatment for Eating Disorders
 If you are worried about someone with a
possible eating disorder:

 Get online and EDUCATE YOURSELF about

the symptoms and the best ways to help

 TALKto the person in a calm, non-judgmental

manner. Don’t keep quiet.

Berger: The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 7th Edition, Chapter 14