Healthyvives Health Blog

Adolescent is the period of transition from childhood to adulthood. The period is 10 to 19 or 12 to 20 years. Adolescent period is very crucial, since these are the formative years in the life of an individual when major physical, psychological and behavioral changes take place. It is an impressionable period of life and period of preparation for undertaking greater responsibilities including healthy responsible parenthood. A society future depends on adolescent and they form a great human resource for the society. Adolescents have a health problem in different for those younger children and older adults. Due to lack of accurate information, adolescents are prone to various behavioral and reproductive health problems transition from childhood to adulthood is hazardous for the adolescent health because they develop behavioral problems in absence of proper guidance and counseling. Adolescents have physical and physiological changes. In girls physical changes may begin at around 10 years and may reach their maximum growth by around 14 years. Menarche and menstrual cycle also begin at that period. Menarche is the onset of first menstruation which occurs in a young girl at around 12 years. This is the system of often recognized as the onset of maturity in girls. But there are variations in the age at which menarche occurs. Girls will attain menarche earlier due to good nutritional status. But malnourished girl’s menarche is delayed. If menstruation has not started by 16 years you should consult with doctors. Boys’ puberty usually appears later than in girls. It may begin with change in voice, growth of hair on chin under arms, face chest public region. Enlargement and development of external genitals also takes place and sperm production starts. Occasionally penile erection and involuntary ejaculation also occur. Psychological and behavioral changes comes during the transition phase from child hood to adult hood due to rapid physical and sexual changes in the body, the adolescent develops anxiety and apprehension. It is the time for exploration adventure and discovery of one’s own body and one’s capability and potential. These can lead to confusion and to experimentation with harmful substances like drugs, alcohol and risky behavior. It needs to give them appropriate information and education on adolescents for the normal physical, sexual and psychological changes they are prone to health risk behavior such as sex experiments and drug abuse leading to teenage, pregnancy, contracting STD/HIV/AIDS, injuries, accidents, violence, rape homicides, suicide so many problems. Sometimes expression of sexual urge by adolescents may lead to anger among adults while among adolescents this may lead to feeling of fears, guilt and shame. Nutritional requirement of adolescents is more due to rapid growth spurt and increase in physical activity. We should encourage developing healthy eating habits and life style. Good nutrition is equally important for proper growth of both male and female. we should educate the community and every family member about the importance of healthy eating habits and nutritious foods. Adolescents should take care of personal hygiene. Adolescents should keep the groin clean and dry otherwise fungal infection, leading to itching etc will develop. Boys should give attention to clean Smegma during and after urination. Teeth and tongue can be clean twice daily. Clean hand thoroughly before and after taking food and after going to toilet.

There are so many behavioral problems in school students. These problems are very disturbing in student’s life and it is very much anxiety for parent also.some problems is like these. some problems face by children are extreme shyness, fearfulness, aggression, attention getting, hyperactive, excessively dependent, day dreaming, lying and cheating, stealing etc. many of these problems children can be handled by the teachers and by the parents by using rewards such as adult praise, treats and trinkets and parents and can be trained to engage children with such problems in appreciate behaviors in order to earn these rewards. However, their understanding of social situations that lead to such behavioral problems severely limited, and they may have difficulty in comprehending how their behavioral affects children or why children behave as they do.
Need for closeness to teacher: Students are very much needs for closeness to teacher for their mental supports. the Extent to which the child seeks out the teacher before of after class, offers to do things for the teacher, is friendly towards the teacher and likes to be physically close to the teacher.
Anxiety depression: Anxiety is a problem of school children .the child seems to be tense with face drawn and rigid, cries easily at the smallest pretext, does not talk to anymore, doesn’t take interest in things. The child gets upset about test and test scores, sensitive to criticism or correction. So parents and teachers can have to tackles these problems in time.
Quiet and withdrawn: sometimes child is withdrawn and quiet in the class, they don’t have friends and it is mostly isolated. Tends to be very self-centered, preoccupied with own thoughts and problems and disinterested in or unenthusiastic about anything else. Not the quiet or not the withdrawn is very much good for the child.
External Reliance: child face some problems in class, the extent to which the child looks to others for direction, requires precise direction and has difficulty making one’s own decisions. Child some where suffers in external reliance in class and other co-curricular activities.
Disrespect Defiance: Disrespectfully speaking is not a good thing for the students in school periods. The child speaks disrespectfully to teachers; resist doing what is asked of belittles the work being done and breaks classroom rules. To breaking the classroom rules are very disturbing matters for the Teachers and it affecting on others children in the class.
Impatience: the child starts work too quickly, is sloppy in work, is unwilling to go back over work and rushed through work, physically more active and restless.
Classroom Disturbance: Classroom disturbance is a normal and most practiced problems in School. The child teases and torments classmates, interferes with other’s work and is quickly drawn into noise making and must be controlled.
Truancy: the child who is frequently absent in school for vague reasons or minor ailments.
Physical Inquiry: recurrent and multiple injuries are observed for which no adequate evidence is given for delay medication, spots like strap marks, bites and burns.
Aggressive and Violence: Aggressive and violence of child make a class situation worse. A hostile or angry behavior directed to harm or injure a person or property. So it needs to tackles the problems gently, because it is a very much sensitive problem.

Teenagers Problems: How to tackle them.
Teens have lots of problems and suffering. Teens have a way of constantly throwing out new challenges, what with their hormonal swooshes. It seems that the more you try to tell them, the more you push them in the opposite direction, because they are constantly looking for things to kick at, rebel against. To help your children make the right choices. Expect problems. You are not alone. Talk to other parents and you may turn up new ways to deal with them. Get alone to them. Read their books, watch their movies, and listen to their music. Talk them as you would to good friend and equal. State your views, without bitterness, insults. Offer them facts, seriously. Tell them what you think, but not what to do. Say, it is your decision and trust you to make a sensible one, not you are a blistering idiot, and they will respond as responsible adults, if not this time, may be the next. They will also be quicker to ask for advice if they are treated as adults. Shouting shrieking, swearing, even if it is totally justified, will not help bring about a change in behavior. Say, tell me about it then listen. But don’t expect them to bare their souls about everything they prefer to confide in friends. Respect their privacy. Don’t snoop under mattresses, email, SMS’s, unless you have a valid misgiving. Don’t be secretive yourself. Create an open and honest atmosphere. If you saw that your ward is watching porn on the net, you as a father you can say, I used to read porn at your age, as an adult realize it degrades women. You are as a mother you can say, you get curious or unnatural view of women. Women are real people; you know that’s all that’s needed. But if you block out the sites, and if you forbid him he will look for it elsewhere and feel guilty about his own feeling and sexuality. Most teens do drink, Out of boredom, or because they want danger, excitement or a buzz. You need to get your teen to choose not to drink right now, or to drink moderately and sensitively. Discuss the issue calmly and sensibly the next day when the teen is sober, and probably ashamed of him. Screaming fosters rebellion. If you are also drinker say, I don’t mind you drinking but make sure that you get enough of sleep and look after your health. Find out how much, how often, when, where. If experimental, is at a result of pressure, boredom, escape. Explain that it can become a way of life, and that it can increase risks of dependency, severely damaging the body, make us do things that we regret. That alcohol weakens judgment, increases fatigue and resistance to disease, reduces efficiency, shortens the attention span. be positive and steer the boy to leisure activities that are active, not positive and rely on alcohol to provide enjoyment, such as a sport, modeling, body building hobbies. There is no way you can stop a teen from smoking if he or she is absolutely determined to smock. They can smock in college, in the toilets, the club, the pub, with friends, you can advice to smoker saying, never dwell only on people who have died of lung cancer. If your wards have an agony of ecstasy you need to face the problem honestly and openly and without panic. You also take cares about some signs of sexual activities. A split second masking of expression when speaking of sexual matters. Follow when whispering on the phone. A new provocative way of dressing. Breaking deadlines. An un savory peer group perhaps new that smokes, drinks, does drugs. Suggestive messages on emails SMS, chat rooms. Mood swings and erratic behaviour. Depression about breakups. Decline in school performance, playing hooky. Finally we can determine that the teenage problems are very sensitive and we have to tackles it with most carefully and honestly. in the present days so many parents are suffering a lots problems with their wards, during the schooling period and leisure time of their teens.

Definition of Adolescent development:
The development of children ages 12 through 18 years old is expected to include predictable
Physical and mental milestones.
During adolescence, children develop the ability to:
* Comprehend abstract content, such as higher mathematic concepts, and develop moral
Philosophies, including rights and privileges
* Question old values without a sense of dread or loss of identity
* Move gradually towards a more mature sense of identity and purpose
* Establish and maintain satisfying personal relationships by learning to share intimacy
Without inhibition or dread
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Adolescence is characterized by dramatic physical changes moving the individual from
Childhood into physical maturity. Early, prepubescent changes are noted with the
Appearance of secondary sexual characteristics.
This typically occurs between the ages of 13 and 17 years, with the average at about 14.5
Years. Voice change in the male typic ally occurs parallel to penile growth, and the
Occurrence of nocturnal emissions occurs with the peak of the height spurt.
BEHAVIOR
The sudden and rapid physical changes that adolescents experience typically lend this
period of development to be one of self-consciousness, sensitivity and concern over one’s
own body changes, and excruciating comparisons between oneself and peers.
Because physical changes may not occur in a smooth, regular schedule, adolescents may
go through stages of awkwardness, both in terms of appearance and phys ical mobility and
coordination. Unnecessary anxieties may arise if adolescent girls are not informed and
prepared for the menarche (the onset of menstrual periods), or if adolescent males are not
provided accurate information about nocturnal emissions.
As adolescents pull away from parents in a search for identity, the peer group takes on a
special significance. It may become a safe haven, in which the adolescent can test new
ideas and compare physical and psychological growth.

In early adolescence, the peer group usually consists of non-romantic friendships, often
including “cliques,” gangs, or clubs. Members of the peer group often attempt to behave
alike, dress alike, have secret codes or rituals, and participate in the same activities. As the
youth moves into mid-adolescence (14 to 16 years) and beyond, the peer group expands to
include romantic friendships.
Mid-to-late adolescence is characterized by a need to establish sexual identity through
becoming comfortable with one’s own body and sexual feelings. Through romantic
friendships, dating, and experimentation, adolescents learn to express and receive intimate
or sexual advances in a comfortable manner that is consistent with internalized values.
Young people who do not have the opportunity for such experiences may demonstrate
difficulty in establishing intimate relationships into adulthood.
Adolescents typically demonstrate behaviors consistent with several myths of adolescence:
SAFETY
Adolescent safety issues stem from increased strength and agility that may develop before
optimal decision-making skills develop. A strong need for peer approval, coupled with the
myths of adolescence, may entice a young person to attempt hazardous feats, or participate
in a variety of risk-taking behaviors.
Adolescents pursuing recreational athletic activities should be taught to use adequate
equipment, protective gear or clothing, safe facilities, proper rules of safe play, and rational
approaches to activities requiring advanced skill levels.
Young people need to be acutely aware of the potential dangers — including sudden death –
which may occur not only with regular substance abuse, but even experimental use of drugs
and alcohol.
If adolescents appear to be isolated from peers, disinterested in school or social activities, or
deteriorating in performance at school, work, or sports — psychological evaluation may be
necessary.
Many adolescents are at increased risk for depression and potential suicide attempts, due to
pressures and conflicts that may arise within families, school or social organizations, and
intimate relationships.
PARENTING TIPS
Adolescents usually require privacy in which to contemplate changes taking place within
their own bodies. Ideally, the youth should be allowed to have a bedroom. If this is not
possible, some private space should be allotted.

Teasing an adolescent child about physical changes is inappropriate, because it may cause
self-consciousness and embarrassment.
Parents need to remember that the adolescent’s interest in body changes and sexual topics
is natural, normal development and does not necessarily indicate movement into sexual
activity.
Parents must take care not to label emerging instinct and behaviors as wrong, “sick”, or
immoral. Adolescents may exper iment with or consider a wide range of sexual orientations
or behaviors prior to feeling comfortable with their own sexual identity.
The teenager’s quest for independence is normal development and need not be looked
upon by the parent as rejection or a loss of control. To be of most benefit to the growing
adolescent, a parent needs to be a constant and consistent figure, available as a sounding
board for the youth’s ideas without dominating or overtaking the emerging, independent
identity of the young person.
Despite adolescents constantly challenging authority figures, they need or want limit-setting,
as it provides a safe boundary in which to grow and function. Limit-setting refers to
predetermined and negotiated rules and regulations regarding behavior.
Parents should be pr epared for and recognize that there are common conflicts that may
develop while parenting adolescents. The experience may be influenced by unresolved
issues from a parent’s own childhood, as well as unresolved issues from the adolescent’s
earlier years.
Parents can anticipate their authority to be repeatedly challenged, as children enter and
move through their adolescent years. Maintaining open lines of communication and clear,
yet negotiable, limits or boundaries may prove useful in minimizing major conflicts.
Most parents report a sense of increased wisdom and self-growth as they rise to the
challenges of parenting adolescents.

Sexual health is an important component of over all health and well-being. It is a major,
Positive part of personal health and healthy living and it follows that “sexual health education
Should be available to all. In principle, all persons, including youth, have a right to the
information, motivation/personal insight, and skills necessary to prevent negative sexual
health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections including HIV, unplanned pregnancy)
and to enhance sexual health (e.g., maintenance of reproductive health, positive self-
image). Most people become sexually active during their teenage years with over 70% of
males and females experiencing their first sexual intercourse before age 20. In order to
ensure that youth are equipped with the information, motivation/personal insight, and skills

to protect their sexual and reproductive health, “it is imperative that schools, in cooperation
with parents, the community, and healthcare professionals, play a major role in sexual
health education and promotion”. Parents and guardians are a primary and important source
of sexual health education for young people. A dolescents often look to their families as one
of several preferred sources of sexual health information. In addition, most young people
agree that sexual health education should be a shared responsibility between parents and
Schools. A recent study found that among Grade 9 students in Canada, the school was the
most frequently cited main source of information on human sexuality/puberty/birth control
and HIV/AIDS.
Since schools are the only formal educational institution to have meaningful contact with
Nearly every young person, they are in a unique position to provide children, adolescents,
And young adults with the knowledge and skills they will need to make and act upon
Decisions that promote sexual health throughout their lives
As an important part of its contribution to adolescent development, school-based sexual
health education can play an important role in the primary prevention of significant sexual
Health problems. As documented in more detail below, well developed and implemented
School-based sexual health education programs can effectively help youth reduce their risk
Of STI/HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. In addition, it should be emphasized that an
Important goal of sexual health education is to provide insights into broader aspects of
Sexuality, including sexual well-being and rewarding interpersonal relationships.
At the most basic level, in order for school- based sexual health education programs to be
Effective, there must be sufficient classroom time devoted to sexual health related instruction
And teachers must be adequately trained and motivated to provide high quality sexual health
Education programming. In addition, it is clear from the research literature on sexual health
Promotion that effective progr ams are based and structured upon theoretical models that
Enable educators to understand and influence sexual health behaviour. For example, the
IMB model specifies that in order for sexual health education for youth to be effective, it
Must provide information that is directly relevant to sexual health (e.g., information on
Effective forms of birth control and where to access them), address motivational factors that
Influence sexual health behaviour (e.g., discussion of social pressures on youth to become
Sexually active and benefits of delaying first intercourse), and teach the specific behavioural
Skills that are needed to protect and enhance sexual health (e.g., learning to negotiate
Condom us e and/or sexual limit setting) (For information on the use of the IMB model for the
Planning, implementation, and evaluation of sexual health education programs.
At a more detailed level, review and analysis of the sexual health intervention literature
Indicate that effective sexual health education programs have contained the following ten
Key ingredients:
1. Include sufficient classroom time to achieve program objectives;
2. Provide teachers with training and administrative support;
3. Employ theoretical models to develop and implement programming;
4. Use elicitation research to ascertain student characteristics, needs, and optimal learning
styles;
5. Specifically target sexual behaviours that lead to unintended pregnancy and/or STI/HIV
Infection;
6. Deliver and consistently reinforce prevention messages related to sexual limit setting
(e.g., delaying first intercourse, abstinence), consistent condom use and other forms of
Contraception;
7. Include activities that address social pressures related to adolescent sexual behaviour;
8. Incorporate the necessary information, motivation, and skills to effectively perform sexual
Health promotion behaviours;
9. Provide examples of and opportunities to practice (e.g., role plays) sexual limit setting,
Condom negotiation and other communication skills;
10. Employ appropriate evaluation tools to assess program strengths and weakness in order

According to encyclopedia Britannica,’ Adolescence is the time in a young person’s life between childhood and adulthood”. It is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. The duration is between age 10-19, some where it is 12-19, and 12-20 years, it is also called teenager.
The adolescence period is very crucial; this period is the formative years in the life of an individual when major physical, psychological and behavioral changes take place. It is also an impressionable period of life. This is the period of preparation for undertaking greater responsibilities including healthy responsible parenthood. Future of a society depends on adolescents and they form a great human resource for the society and human being. The problems of health of adolescents are very different from those of younger children and older adults. Due to accurate information, adolescents are prone to various behavioral and reproductive health problems. The period of transition from childhood to adult-hood is hazardous for the adolescent’s health because they develop behavioral problems in absence of proper guidance and counseling.
In adolescent period girls physical changes may begin at around 10 years and it may reach their maximum growth by around 14 years, it is called puberty. But the puberty in boys usually appears later than in girls. In the time of puberty of boys begin with change in voice, growth of hair on chin, under arms, face, chest and public region. Sperm
Production start, occasionally penile erection and involuntary ejaculation also occur.
First menstruation which occurs in a young girl at around 12 years, and it is often recognized as the onset of maturity in girls. It is called menarche, but there are variation in the age at which menarche occurs. Good nutritional status will lower the age at menarche, which means girl will attain menarche earlier, while in malnourished girl’s menarche is delayed. If menstruation is not started by 16 years guardian should counsel with physician.
The nutritional requirement of adolescents is more due to rapid growth spurt and increase in physical activity. During this period, the adolescent are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits and life style. In this stage they need more of all nutrients particularly calcium, iodine and iron.
Adolescent is a time for exploration adventure and discovery on ones own body and one’s capability and potential. Some times this can lead to confusion and to experimentation with harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, risky driving and risky behaviors. During this transition period from childhood to adulthood due to rapid physical and sexual changes in the body, the adolescents develop anxiety and apprehension. Often adolescents hesitate to make communication about sexual development and other related matters with elders. In such situation they are not given appropriate information and education on these normal physical, sexual and psychological changes they are prone to health risk behaviors such as sex experiments and drug abuse leading to teenage pregnancy, contracting HIV/AIDS, RTI/STI, injuries, accidents, violence, rape, suicide, homicide etc. some other problems originating during adolescence may have lifelong consequences like use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and harmful substance.
Adolescent’s health problems is a normal and nature matter. They should be taking an initiative protection of health. They also need to take care of personal their hygiene. They should follow like as to clean hands thoroughly before and after taking food and after going toilet, clean teeth and tongue twice daily once in the morning after leaving bed and second time before going to bed at night, bath daily, they should keep the groin clean and dry otherwise fungal infection, leading to the itching and other skin diseases. Boys clean “Smegma” during bathing and after urination.
During adolescence there is widespread ignorance among adolescents about risks associated with unprotected sexual activity, since adolescent sexuality remains taboo in many societies, unprotected sex may lead to unwanted pregnancy which is tern may lead to increased demand for induced abortion. Also pregnancy among unmarried girls may lead them to seek abortion services from untrained practitioners and become victims of consequence complications. Termination of unwanted pregnancy through induced abortion among adolescent girls cause greater risk to life than in adult women, even if pregnancy continues tendency to hide the same to avoid proper antenatal care among adolescents may lead to serious complications of pregnancy and child birth. It is also very risk to early married at very young age which leads to consequent early child bearing. They may suffer from anemia, retarded foetal growth; premature birth and complication during labour are significantly higher for adolescent mothers and may even lead to death. Unprotected sex among adolescents is the change of infection from Sexual transmitted disease which includes syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS.
What may be our duty as a guide or guardian for adolescents? We inform them to use condom to provide and protection against unwanted pregnancy and STD, HIV/AIDS. They also need for practice of safe sex to avoid sexual transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Adolescents have to right to complete, correct and detailed knowledge and information relating to their developments; physical and psychological. Educate the community members as well as adolescents about the normal physical changes with special reference to nutrition and health needs of them. Parents and adult in the family must ensure a safe secure and supportive environment for the adolescents during their formative years of growth and development. Family members need to be informed and educated in this regard. A positive encouraging attitude among parents and family members to interact with adolescents and to give clarifications and correct information on their doubts will facilitate better relationship of trust and confidence.

The term ‘Adolescence’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Adolescence’ meaning “to grow’, ‘to mature’. It covers a period of seven or eight years, normally from 12 to 20 years, some where 12 years to 18 or 19 years.
Stages of Human being Time frame
Prenatal Before birth
Infancy 0 to 1 year
Early childhood 1-3 years
Preschool 3-6 years
School Childhood 6-12 years
Adolescence 12-20 years
Young adulthood 20-30 years
Adulthood 30-50 years
Mature adult 50-65 years
Aging adult 65 years onwards
Adolescence is that span of years during which boys and girls move from childhood to adulthood mentally, emotionally, socially and physically.
This is the period of rapid physiological growth. At this stage changes in voice, change in weight, high and strength. At this stage social and psychological maturity takes place. Sexual maturity and the onset of sexual activity fulfilled in this time.
The adolescence not only increases in size or weight but all of their body alters; there are changes internal organs and body processes and subtle alterations in the composition of tissues. In males there is deepening of voice, the growth of the beard and the ability to produce semen. In girls there is the development of breasts changes in the uterine and the pelvic areas and the menarche. For both boys and girls we have the growth of the body hair particularly in the public and under arms areas, changes in contours of face and body, and the eruption of new teeth. Legs grow relatively longer up to 15 years and then stem length increases slowly. The bones increase not only in size but also in number. The chemical composition of the bones also changes. The nose becomes so prominent that it perplexes the sensitive boy. Sexual maturing, which is the most complicated process of growth and change at this stage of development, is the most prominent feature of adolescence. From 14 to 20 years of age there is a tremendous change in genital types, tests, ovary, epididymis, uterine tube, prostate urethra and seminal vesicles. A girl at 13 years looks practically a young woman but the other of the same age looks still a child. Such variability in the maturation rate is a striking feature of both sexes.
Factor of the disturbance for the emotional development of adolescence
Lack of security
Economic disparities
Fearful atmosphere
Emotional imbalance
Traditional concept of discipline
Disregard of individual difference
Lack of co-curriculum activities
Lack of sex education
Faulty examination system
Faulty curriculum
Role of guardian and teacher of the adolescence
Provide equal treatment irrespective of consideration of wealth status or gender of adolescence.
Boys and girls should give an opportunity for development of creating abilities i.e. through music, arts, drama, game and sport etc.
Provide healthy physical conditions and proper orientation.
Solve the curiosity also love and make affection.
Give due regard individual differences of the adolescence.
Give proper sex education to them.
Provide conductive environment.
Guardian and teacher should give students opportunities to solve problems and reason scientifically.
Every school has a responsibility for preparing able-bodied youths to serve the nation. sanitary conditions of school premises, a provision of well-ventilated school room, sufficient and well-planned programme of sports and games, periodical medical examination and dental care, are must for a good school. the school has to assume a wide responsibility in developing in its pupils social consciousness.