ADOLESCENCE – BIOSOCIAL

DEVELOPMENTAges 11 to 18What body changes develop during adolescence?

WHEN DOES PUBERTY BEGIN? Menarche = First menstrual period Spermarche = First ejaculation Between 8 & 14

2/3 of the variation is genetic

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES IN PUBERTY?

WHAT PHYSICAL CHANGES OCCUR? For girls

Breast development – growth spurt – menarche

For boysTestes – initial pubic hair - spermarche

WHAT IS THE GROWTH SPURT? Typical growth spurt

Weight – Height – Muscle

WHAT ORGANS INCREASE? Lungs triple in size Heart doubles in size Skin becomes oilier (acne) Pubic hair develops

HOW DO GLANDS CHANGE? Hormones are secreted from: Pituitary gland

Regulates growth Controls adrenal and sex glands

Adrenal glands begin producing Stress hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and

norepinephrine Gonads

Ovaries – female- Produce Estradiol (Estrogen) and Ova

Testicles – male – Produce Testosterone and sperm Each sex produces an increased small amount of

the other sex hormone

HOW DO HORMONES EFFECT EMOTIONS? Relationship is Reciprocal

Hormones and trigger emotions, and emotions can trigger hormones

Hormones Emotions

WHAT HAPPENS TO ADOLESCENT LOGIC AND EMOTIONS? Excitement and emotional areas (Limbic

system & Amygdala) develop before emotional regulation, analysis, and impulse control (Prefrontal cortex) develops.

When emotions are intense, the logical part of the brain shuts downDeaths from accidentsFun of immediate sex VS pregnancy & STD’s

DO YOU REMEMBER? What signals the beginning of puberty in

boys and girls? In what order does the growth spurt

occur? What are the changes in organs and

glands? What is the relationship between

hormones and emotions? What is the relationship between

adolescent emotions and logic?

WHAT EFFECT DOES PUBERTY HAVE ON BODY RHYTHMS? Circadian rhythms (the day – night

cycle) Puberty alters the body rhythms E.g. Awake at midnight and sleeping in

the morning

HOW DOES BODY FAT EFFECT PUBERTY? Obesity = early onset of puberty Malnutrition = late onset of puberty Dramatic loss of weight will cause your

period to stopConcentration campMarathon training

HOW DOES STRESS EFFECT PUBERTY? Family conflict & stress = early onset of

puberty Stress hormones are a direct cause of early

puberty Genes may be a factor Early puberty = early sex

Increased sexual risk taking – More partners, pregnancies, & diseases

WHY IS HITTING PUBERTY AT NORMAL AGES IS BEST? Early maturing girls

May be teased by boys Lower self-esteem More depression Poorer body image

Early maturing boys More aggression Law-breaking Alcohol-abusing

Early maturing in both sexes Sexual activity & pregnancy = depression and

other psychosocial problems

DO YOU REMEMBER? What are the circadian rhythms that

effect puberty? How does body fat effect puberty? What is the effect of family stress and

conflict on puberty? Why is hitting puberty at normal ages

best?

NUTRITION

BODY IMAGE Anxiety about body image Girls = Diet to get thin

Boys like thin girls Boys = Taller and stronger

Girls like tall strong boys

HOW DO EATING DISORDERS EFFECT ADOLESCENTS?

HOW DOES ANOREXIA EFFECT ADOLESCENTS? Self-starvation Sees herself as fat

when she is not Fear of weight

gain Absence of

menstruation (Both adolescents

and adults) BMI = 18 or lower

HOW DOES BULIMIA EFFECT ADOLESCENTS? Binge (Compulsive overeating) and

purge (Vomiting and laxatives) Close to normal weight Hormones Childhood eating patterns

E.g. “eat everything on your plate”

WHAT CAN CAUSE DISORDERED EATING? Origins

Culture – Fast food cultureStress – Comfort foodPuberty

One strategy to reduce eating problemsFamily eating together during childhood

DO YOU REMEMBER? What is anorexia?

What can cause it? What is bulimia?

What can cause it? What is one strategy to reduce eating

problems?

WHAT SEXUAL MATURATION OCCURS?

Primary sex characteristicsDirectly involved in reproductionUterus and testes grow

Secondary sex characteristicsNot directly involved in

reproductionBeard and breasts

WHAT FACTORS EFFECT SEXUAL ACTIVITY? Hormones - Thoughts and emotions Society (Social context) - shapes

thoughts, fantasies, shame, guilt, actual behavior

Religion – Shapes behaviorVirginity pledge

Delays first intercourse Increases later pregnancy due to not using

protection

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF EARLY PREGNANCY? Pregnant before age 15

High blood pressure Spontaneous abortion Still born Low birth weight Other lifelong medical,

educational and social problems Poverty Lack of education No husband Depression Drug use

DO YOU REMEMBER? What changes does sexual maturation

produce? What are the effects of early pregnancy?