3.1 PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES 66 How would you define your adolescence? Choose among the options and try to explain your feelings. A time for fun A time of conflict A period of stress A time of ups and downs A time of frustration A time of new experiences A struggle for independence A time for self-exploration Puberty is the time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature. to claim: sostenere to fuel: alimentare growth spurt: accelerazione di crescita hip: fianco onset: inizio texture: struttura thigh: coscia PHYSICAL CHANGES Adolescence is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health . When? What? It is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19, even though some people claim adolescence ends at about 25. Typically, there are three developmental stages: early adolescence or puberty (10-13 years), middle adolescence (14 to 17 years), and late adolescence (18-21 years and beyond). Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth. This affects how they feel, think, make decisions, and interact with the world around them. Cognitively, the end of adolescence is defined by the ability to reason and think abstractly. Socially, adolescence is a time when young people begin to take on adult roles. HOW HORMONES CHANGE THE BODY Facial hair Underarm hair Breast growth Hip growth Pubic hair Menstruation Voice change Underarm hair Pubic hair Ejaculation Physical changes Adolescence extends from the start of puberty to complete sexual maturity and the following are some of the most relevant physical changes adolescents go through. Rapid growth spurt. Boys and girls experience growth spurts at different times, with boys usually experiencing theirs later and more dramatically. This growth is fuelled by hormonal changes, particularly the release of testosterone in boys and oestrogen in girls. Body composition. Muscle mass increases in both sexes, and body fat distribution changes, particularly in girls, where there is often an increase in fat deposition around the hips and thighs. These changes are influenced by genetic factors as well as lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. Secondary sexual characteristics. In boys, these changes include the deepening of the voice, the growth of facial and body hair, and the enlargement of the Adam s apple. Girls experience the development of breasts, the growth of pubic and underarm hair, and the onset of menstruation. These changes are governed by hormonal shifts controlled by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads. Skin and hair. Hair and skin may become oilier or drier, and changes in hair texture or thickness are common. Understanding and accepting these physical changes can help adolescents live this transitional period with confidence and self-awareness. 142