Health Science Module

Theme: Health Issues Related to Growth and Development

Childhood (2)

Adolescence (3)

Adulthood (3)

Senior Years (3)

Objectives: Health Issues Related to Growth and Development

Be able to cope with and/or find help to deal with health problems at different stages of life;

Develop healthy lifestyles to alleviate health risks at different stages of life;

Develop positive attitude towards individual differences in physical build and appearance;

Develop concern for those suffering from health related problems and show consideration for them;

Develop an attitude of responsible citizenship in taking care of one’s health throughout life as a contribution to alleviating demand for medical resources in dealing with health problems in the community.

Body Proportions During The Human Life Cycle

2 month (foetal)

4 month (foetal) newborn 2 years 6 years 12 years 18 years

Health Science Module

Theme: Growth and DevelopmentThroughout the Lifespan

Topic 1:Childhood—

the best start?

Childhood…

Period of life from ages 1 to 10 years

Stage of rapid growth and development

– Importance of visual health– Two common diseases—allergy and

asthma

Health Habits

Formed during childhood; cemented during teen years

Track into adulthood

Poor lifestyle habits bring problems now and later; good habits lead to longer, healthier life!

Two periods’/days’ topics

1

Visual Health and its maintenance: Common eye problems, early examination, treatment and eye exercises

2

Allergy – allergic reactions and symptoms and its related diseases

Asthma – common triggers and how to manage it.

Learning Objectives• Describe an early eye examination and its treatment• Perform eye exercises to promote visual health

• Define allergy and describe basic mechanism of allergic reaction

• List allergy related diseases• Define asthma and describe physiological changes

in asthma• List common triggers of asthma• Describe asthma treatment

Visual Health Objectives

At the end of Period 1, the students should be able to:

Describe an early eye examination and explain its importance in children

Perform the eye exercises to promote visual health

This topic’s focus

• How visual health plays an important role in childhood

Recognize and manage two common childhood diseases:– Allergy– Asthma

Light Rays

Short-sightness Eyeball

Retina

Focal point is in front of retina

Light Rays

Normal Eyeball

Focal point is on the retina

Retina

Structure of our eyes: Shortsightedness

Activity: Eye Massage

1 1

2 2

Note: These cannot prevent myopia, but they can relax the eyes and make students aware of eye health.

Lesson Plan (Example)Sequence Content Resources TimeMotiva-tion

Teacher and students perform eye exercises

Teacher notes and diagrams

10-15 min

Theme teaching

•Visual health & importance•Common eye problems•Importance of early eye examination•Eye care tips

Teacher notes 15-30

Consoli- dation

Discussion: What can we do to protect our vision?

Notes & stu- dent experiences

5 min

Asthma/Allergies ObjectivesAt the end of Period 2, the students

should be able to:

Define allergy and describe the basic mechanism of allergic reaction

List the various allergy-related diseases

Define asthma describe the physiological changes in asthma.

List the common triggers of asthma and describe the treatment of asthma

Common sources of allergens

• Pollen

• Faeces of house-dust mites

• Foods (such as milk, eggs, fish, seafood)

• Domestic animals, insects, moulds, medicines, industrial chemicals

Activities—homework or in classHomework example – Asthma research

Conduct research on the prevalence, age of onset and/or trigger (s) of any asthma and allergy among students- questionnaire provided for students to take home and complete- suggestions on research setting and method provided in teacher notes

In-class example – eye massageEye massage activity instruction sheet provided to teacherTeacher demonstrates process and students follow

Summary

• Childhood section divided into two parts: Visual Health

Allergies/Asthma

• Scheme of work and lesson plans provide guide

• In-class activities and homework to reinforce and expand on materials provided

Health Science Module

Growth and DevelopmentThroughout the Lifespan Theme

Topic: Adolescence

Your growth and development:

New hormones are steering you!

Adolescence…

Transitional period from around age 12 up to about 20 years

• Physiological development• Emotional and psychological development• Incorporation of adult roles to some extent

Adolescence

Biology Environment

Learning Objectives• Name some hormones affecting adolescent growth• Identify four phases of menstrual cycle and the

origin and how to deal with menstrual cramps• Draw male and female growth curves and list some

factors affecting teen or human growth• List origins of differences in height, weight build,

appearance, etc. and what healthy attitudes toward these are

• Describe origin of acne (pimples) and how to manage them

Three periods’/days’ topics1 Adolescence, hormones and

the menstrual cycle

2 Hormones and growth, factors affecting growth, and growth differences

3 Acne—another result of hormones, how to manage it

This topic’s focus• Physiological growth during adolescence

• How hormones and other factors affect growth and development during adolescence

• Managing problems related to adolescent growth:

• Menstrual cramps—review • Acne (pimples)• Individual difference in physical growth

and development

Three stages of adolescence

Stage

Age range Characteristics

Early ~11-14 years

Hormone-regulated rapid pubertal growth and changes

Middle ~14-17 years

Peer social relationships and heterosexual interests

Late ~17-20 years

Adult roles to some extent incorporated

Review of Menstrual Cycle

(Period 1)

• What causes menstrual cramps?

• How to manage these cramps?

Follicular phaseMenstrual

phase

Pre-menstrualOvulation

13Reorganizing and growthDAYS

15 16 28 42515

Hormone Levels throughout Menstrual Cycle

Blood progesterone level

Blood oestrogen level

Why do teens grow and their bodies change the way they do?

(Period 2)• Hormones regulate our growth.

• At puberty, new hormones start being released.

• These new hormones stimulate – Growth– Primary sex characteristics– Secondary sex characteristics

Different body parts’ growth

Brain

Age, y

Per

cen

tag

e to

tal

gro

wth

Total body Reproductive organs

0 4 10 1882 6 12 14 160

100

Body Proportions During The Human Life Cycle

2 month (foetal)

4 month (foetal) newborn 2 years 6 years 12 years 18 years

Major Glands producing Growth and Pubertal Hormones

Testis

Pituitary in hypothalamus

Ovary

Thyroid

Growth Hormone

Thyroxine

TestosteroneEstrogens

Androgens&

Estrogens

Do males and females grow at the same rates?

• The two genders differ in times and extent of intense growth

• Individuals differ because of different genes and environmental influences

• What other factors affect growth?

Hong Kong Growth Chart

for Girls

www.cuhk.edu.hk/proj/growthstd.index.htm

Growth spurt during adolescence• time of rapid physical and personal growth &

development

• high nutrient needs

• begins around age 10-11y in girls, 12-13y boys and lasts about 5 years

• Fat and muscle amounts change as we grow—girls put on more fat, boys more muscle

Hong Kong Males’ and Females’ Height Gain (cm/yr) during Prepubertal and Pubertal periods

(1993 survey data)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Males

Females

Hei

gh

t g

ain

cm

/yea

r

Age (Years)

Males’ Weight Growth in Hong Kong in 1963 and 1993

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

age in years

wei

gh

t, k

g 1963

1993

Acne (Pimples) (Period 3)

What are pimples (acne)?

How can we deal with acne?

How does acne affect adolescent psychosocial development?

Cross section of skin showing sebaceous gland

Sebaceous gland

Epidermis

Dermis

Hair follicle

Increased sebum excretion rate leading to oily skin

Oily skin

Excessiveandrogensfrom blood

Sebaceous gland

Slightlyenlargedfollicle

Formation of a blackhead, an open pimple

Blackhead containing sebum and

bacteria

Sebaceous gland

Formation of an inflamed closed pimple

Inflamed follicle with pus

Closedpimple; do

notsqueeze;

will resolve in about

5 days.

Homework

Three generations’ growth surveyDay 1: Each student collects data at home.Day 2: Compile data from class into a bar chart of heights.

Grandparent’s height

Parent’s height

My height

Female

Male

Mean Heights (cm) of Three Generations

145

150

155

160

165

170

175

Heightin

cm

Summary

• Adolescence section divided into three parts: Menstrual cycle, growth, and acne—all regulated by hormones in some way

• Scheme of work and lesson plans provide guide

• In-class activities and homework to reinforce and expand on materials provided in interesting ways

Health Science Module

Growth and DevelopmentThroughout the Lifespan Theme

Topic: Adulthood—

Getting ready for the rest of your life!

Three stages of adolescence

Stage

Age range Characteristics

Early ~11-14 years

Hormone-regulated rapid pubertal growth and changes

Middle ~14-17 years

Peer social relationships and heterosexual interests

Late ~17-20 years

Adult roles to some extent incorporated

Adulthood…About two-thirds of people in Hong Kong are adults.

It will be most of your life, too!!

• Facing changes in their life, e.g. getting jobs and earn money for living

• Take more responsibility• Biggest changes – get married and take care of

whole family

Need to protect their health to do all of these things—How??

Highlights• Describe good and bad cholesterol • Describe how high blood cholesterol leads to

cardiovascular diseases • Define obesity and how to assess it by body

measurements• List health risks associated with high blood

cholesterol and obesity • Describe various lifestyles changes can reduce

the health risks associated with high blood cholesterol and obesity

Highlights

• Describe importance of pre-marital body check-up

• List check-up examinations • Define family planning• Describe advantages of family planning• List various kinds of contraceptive methods • Understand biological basis of various birth

control methods

Three periods’/days’ topics

1 Common chronic diseases in adulthood (high blood cholesterol and obesity), lifestyle modification

2 Necessity of pre-marital body check-up and its examinations

3 Necessity and advantages of family planning, and birth control methods

This topic’s focus• How high blood cholesterol and obesity affect

health during adulthood

• What lifestyle changes can we make to reduce the attack of chronic diseases?

• Why is a pre-marital body check-up and family planning necessary?

• Better understanding of various contraceptive methods

Objectives of the TopicAt the end of Period 1, the students should be able to:

–Differentiate between types of cholesterol and describe the relationship between high blood cholesterol levels and cardiovascular diseases

–Define obesity and assess obesity levels.–List the health risks of obesity–Describe various lifestyles changes that

can reduce the health risks associated with high blood cholesterol and obesity

Why is too much dietary fat a problem?

• Contributes to obesity

• Contributes to high blood

cholesterol

Let’s compare good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol!

Charac-teristic

Bad cholesterol

LDL

Good cholesterol

HDL

Source Animal, milk fat, palm oil

Vegetable oils

Func-tion

Take fats to the cells-’drops’

some in arteries

Take fats from cells to liver for

destruction

Effect Fat builds up in arteries

Arteries stay ‘clean’

Goal Keep it low! Aim high!

At the end of Period 2, the students should be able to:

–Understand the importance of a pre- marital body check-up

–List the examinations in pre-marital

body check-up

Objectives of the Topic

At the end of Period 3, the students should be able to:

–Define family planning and discuss its advantages and methods

–Understand the biological basis of various birth control methods

Objectives of the Topic

Lesson Plan (Example)

Sequence Content Resources TimeMotiva-tion

Based on your BMI, how many students are obese or overweight or healthy weight?

Teacher notes

10 min

Theme teaching

What is obesity and why is it unhealthy?

Teacher notes

25-30

Consoli- dation

Discussion:

Is “Keep Fit” = “Keep Slim?

Notes 5 min

BMI exercise exampleAnnie, Bonnie and Connie have been watching the latest “Slim-up” commercial and are worried they may need to diet. Can you help them? Their respective heights and weights are listed below. Use the BMI equation and the information below to help them decide

Height (m)

Weight (kg)

Annie 1.52 60

Bonnie 1.63 48.5

Connie 1.57 55

The BMI Equation

BMI (Kg/m2 )= Weight (kg)

Height (m) x Height (m)

Suggested Activity—seek informationQuestion: “Is fasting a quick way to lose weight?”

Answer: Initially, Yes, but in the long term, No

Explanation: Fasting may result in initial weight loss but it depletes energy resources, causing weakness and lightheadedness, without any significant weight loss. A prolonged fast, especially if accompanied by vigorous activity, will cause loss of lean muscle tissue, including muscle loss from vital organs such as the heart. It can also cause dehydration as water is lost and

Fasting also can lead to rebound weight gain when the fasting finishes. The best way to lose excess fat and maintain a healthy weight in the long term is to follow a balanced calorie-controlled diet and take regular aerobic exercise.

Summary• Adulthood topic divided into three

parts: Cholesterol and obesity, premarital examinations, family planning and birth control methods

• Scheme of work and lesson plans provide guide

• In-class activities and homework to reinforce and expand on materials provided

Health Science Module

Growth and DevelopmentThroughout the Lifespan Theme

Topic: Senior Years

Getting older and better!

Older adulthood…• Elderly = old, sick, frail?

• Elderly people who maintain healthy lifestyle are energetic

• Healthy or successful aging—maintenance of mental and physical function, avoidance of disease and enjoyment of life

(older adulthood) Learning Objectives

• Describe menopause

• Describe osteoporosis

• Identify problems in urination for aged men

• Identify hearing problems for aged people

• List existing health care services provided for the seniors in Hong Kong

Three periods’/days’ topics

1 •Healthy Aging

•Symptoms associated with menopause, and strategies for osteoporosis prevention

2 Problems in urination and hearing

3 Elderly health care services in Hong Kong

This topic’s focus

• Physiological symptoms associated with menopause during senior years

• Formation of osteoporosis and how to prevent it

• Urination and hearing problems, and common treatments

• Introduction of elderly health care services in Hong Kong

Three pathways of aging process

• Aging, with disease and disability

• Usual aging, with absence of serious pathology but presence of some declines in function

• Successful (or healthy) aging, with no pathology and little or no functional loss

Unavoidable life event – Menopause

(Period 1)

• Definition?

• What are the symptoms?

Preventable health problem – Osteoporosis

(Period 1)

• Definition?

• What are the strategies to prevent it?

Lifelong Bone Density

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Females

Males

Age in years

Peak Bone Mass at age +30

Bonemass

Urination and hearing problems

(Period 2)

Rectum

Enlarged prostate

Bladder

Urethra

Eardrum

Malleus

AOuter

ear

BMiddle ear

CInner ear

Cochlea

Semicircular canal

Incus

Auditory nerve

Ear canal

Causes? Treatments?

Review of health care services for elderly in Hong Kong

(Period 3)

• Service provider?

• Service provided?

• Target group?

• Nature of service?

• Purpose of service?

Objectives for the three periods

At the end of Period 1, the students should be able to:

–Describe healthy aging, menopause–Describe osteoporosis and what can be done to prevent it.

At the end of Period 2, the students should be able to:

–Identify the problems in urination for aged men –Describe the hearing problems of some older adults and discuss options for relief

At the end of Period 3, the students should be able to:

–List some health care services provided for the seniors Hong Kong

Lesson Plan (Example)Sequence Content Resources TimeMotiva-tion

Where can seniors in Hong Kong obtain health care?

Teacher notes

5 min

Theme teaching

List some health care services provided for seniors in Hong Kong; have a gerontological nurse or social worker talk to the class

Teacher notes

25-30

Consoli- dation

Discussion: What can we do to experience healthy aging?

Notes 5 min

Activities: homework or in class

In-class example – Ask students to name five well known seniors. Discuss what might be the factors contributing to their good health.

Homework example – Have the each student interview a healthy senior adult. Find out his/her ‘secrets’ to stay healthy, and if he/she has any health problems. Write a report or discuss in class.

Summary• Senior Years section divided into three

periods, covering healthy aging, diseases of seniors, and services for seniors

• Scheme of work and lesson plans provide guide

• In-class activities and homework to reinforce and expand on materials provided

Health Science Module

Theme: Growth and DevelopmentThroughout the Lifespan

Childhood

Adolescence

Adulthood

Senior Years

Consolidation of Theme I

Are there any preventive activities that are good to follow at all ages?

• For example, how is a moderate fat diet good for teens and for adults?

• How does exercise benefit a child, a teenager, an adult, and a senior?

Consolidation of Theme II

How can senior adults meet the challenges of healthy aging? Is this in their control, or not?

When should they take these actions?

Consolidation of Theme III

How do your health behaviors affect

yourself? your family? your community?