Ages 11 to 18
What body changes develop during
adolescence?
 Menarche
= First menstrual period
 Spermarche = First ejaculation
 Between 8 & 14

2/3 of the variation is genetic
 For

Breast development – growth spurt – menarche
 For

girls
boys
Testes – initial pubic hair - spermarche
 Typical

growth spurt
Weight – Height – Muscle
 Lungs
triple in size
 Heart doubles in size
 Skin becomes oilier (acne)
 Pubic hair develops
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
 Relationship

is Reciprocal
Hormones and trigger emotions, and emotions
can trigger hormones
Hormones
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 down


Deaths from accidents
Fun of immediate sex VS pregnancy & STD’s
 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?
 Circadian
rhythms (the day – night cycle)
 Puberty alters the body rhythms
 E.g. Awake at midnight and sleeping in the
morning
 Obesity
= early onset of puberty
 Malnutrition = late onset of puberty
 Dramatic loss of weight will cause your
period to stop


Concentration camp
Marathon training
 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
 Early




May be teased by boys
Lower self-esteem
More depression
Poorer body image
 Early



maturing boys
More aggression
Law-breaking
Alcohol-abusing
 Early

maturing girls
maturing in both sexes
Sexual activity & pregnancy = depression and
other psychosocial problems
 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?
 Anxiety
about body image
 Girls = Diet to get thin

Boys like thin girls
 Boys

= Taller and stronger
Girls like tall strong boys
 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
 Binge
(Compulsive overeating) and purge
(Vomiting and laxatives)
 Close to normal weight
 Hormones
 Childhood eating patterns

E.g. “eat everything on your plate”
 Origins



Culture – Fast food culture
Stress – Comfort food
Puberty
 One

strategy to reduce eating problems
Family eating together during childhood
 What

What can cause it?
 What

is anorexia?
is bulimia?
What can cause it?
 What
is one strategy to reduce eating
problems?
 Primary


sex characteristics
Directly involved in
reproduction
Uterus and testes grow
 Secondary


sex characteristics
Not directly involved in
reproduction
Beard and breasts
 Hormones
- Thoughts and emotions
 Society (Social context) - shapes thoughts,
fantasies, shame, guilt, actual behavior
 Religion – Shapes behavior

Virginity pledge


Delays first intercourse
Increases later pregnancy due to not using protection
 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
 What
changes does sexual maturation
produce?
 What are the effects of early pregnancy?