Physical Development of Children from 12 to 18 Years: Puberty, Growth Spurt, Menstruation, and Body Image

This presentation discusses the physical development of children from 12 to 18 years old, including puberty, growth spurt, menstruation, and body image. It covers the onset of puberty, adolescent growth spurt, and menarche in girls, and the development of boys. The presentation also highlights the impact of these changes on body image and self-esteem.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
CHILDREN DURING THE AGE GTOM
12 YEARS TO 18 YEARS

Introduction:
• Adolescence is the word that is mainly used to describe the transition
between the childhood as well as adulthood
• encompasses the age from twelve to that of nineteen
• tremendous change as well as discovery of the individuals as at this stage,
emotional, physical and even intellectual growth takes place at a dizzying
speed

Puberty:
• the time of the adolescence when rapid physical development takes place
by the signaling of the end of childhood and the beginning of the sexual
maturity
• begin at different period in case of different people, the boys and girls
after the completion of this phase becomes matured enough for sexual
reproduction
• speed may vary from one to another

Puberty (contd.)
• hormones are mainly seen to be the contributing factor for the
development
• development of the primary sex characters that involves the structures
that are directly involved in sexual reproduction
• secondary sex character development that mainly involves the secondary
sex characters which are actually the structures that are indirectly
involved in reproduction

Onset of puberty:
• the pituitary gland is mainly seen to stimulate the hormonal modifications
throughout the body
• includes the adrenal, endocrine and even sexual glands
• the timing of the puberty is the result from the combination of genetic,
environmental as well as the health factors

Adolescent growth spurt:
• Adolescent growth spurt is one of the early sign of maturation that
includes a high level increase in mainly the height as well as weight
• female growth spurt is mainly seen to begin between ages 10 and 14 and
is mainly seen to end by the age of 16
• male growth spurt is seen to begin between the ages of 10 and 16 and is
mainly seen to end by the age of 18

Menstruation and menarche
• Girls generally are seen to begin puberty a few years before that of boys
• Increase in the levels of estrogen help in triggering the beginning of
puberty in the girls
• Growing much taller and
• their hips are also seen to get widened

Menstruation and menarche (in girls)
• breasts are seen to become rounder as well as larger
• Hairs grow on the legs
• their uterus is seen to get enlarged
• hairs grown in their armpit, around their genitals
• labia is seen to thicken
• and their clitoris is seen to elongate
• Acne and pimple are common in this stage.

menarche
• Around the age of 12 to 13, girls are seen to be menstruating
• This period is called menarche
• females have capability to be pregnant

Boys and their development:
• males are seen to have increased levels of the hormone called
testosterone
• Triggering in the beginning of puberty in males around the age 12 and 14
• be taller in height, heavier in weight and even stronger
• voices are seen to deepen
• shoulders are seen to broaden

Boys and their development:
• hair grows under the arms as well as on the face and even on their
genitals and other parts of the body
• testes are seen to produce sperms
• penis and other reproductive organs also enlarged
• can experience harmless release of semen during the periods of sleep
called the wet dreams nocturnal emissions
• Acne and pimple are common in this stage.

Body image:
• boys believe that their sexual appeal is mainly based upon the ability for
the development of their bodies
• tends to have higher self-esteem
• become confident with their ability for controlling their own lives

Body image: (Girls)
• females who are in the post menarche are seen to experience
dissatisfaction with their new size and shape
• are seen to lead to feelings of inadequacy
• loss of control and decreased self esteem

Conclusion:
• individuals belonging to the age range of 12 to 18 are seen to experience
puberty in this age
• production of hormones
• matured reproductive organs along with development of breast,
broadening of hips, growth of pubic hair and others
• Menstruation is an important aspect of this age in females
• males are also seen to develop sexually with appearance of pigmented
skin, voice change, deepening of voice, changes in hormones enlargement
of genitals and others

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