Adolescent Health Issues and Perspective Outline Who is a n Adolescent Growth & development Normal physica l developmen t & pubertal changes in the adolescent period Influences in the adolescent period The psychoso c ial & cogniti v e issues and behavior among adolescents Other health issues in the adolescent period
Adolescence Adolescere “to gro w up” WHO: individuals aged 1 – 1 9 year s old UN : person s aged 1 5 – 2 4 year s old
Adolescent Growth & De v elopment Complex process: - physica l changes growing & acquiring complex skills mental and psychosocial aspect cognitive development developmental task or roles
Growth & Development Modifying factors: Biological endowment Environmental influences human relations nutrition available learning experiences socio-economic resources
Hormonal Systems among Adolescent Hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal (HPG) axis Hypothalamic-pituitary- adr enal (HPA) axis Growth hormone (GH) axis
Puberta l change s – Females Thelarche (breast budding) Adrenarche (hair growth) Growth spurt Continued breast & hair development Menarche (menses) Completion of puberty
Puberta l chan g e s – Males Testicular enlargement Adrenarche (hair growth) Con t inued testic u lar & pe n ile enlargement Growth spurt (heig h t & weigh t )
Psychosocia l & Cognitive Developmen t and Behavior : Developmental Tasks of Adolescence Gaining autonomy Developing distinctive identity & set o f values Accepting one’s body image & sexuality including the ability to nurtur e romantic relationships Forgoing peer relationships Acquiring skills for future vocations
Autonomy: Emotional autonomy - establishment of close relationship
Autonomy Behavioral autonomy -- ability to make independent decisions
Autonomy Value -- development of set of principles of right & wrong
Cognitive Development and Behavior Thinking abilities - - concre t e to abst r act -- higher level thinking is achieved at age 25