PubertyPubertyPubertyPuberty

What? Why? And when?What? Why? And when?

What is puberty?• Puberty is the development of the body

and emotions into adulthood. It's a time when your body develops secondary sex characteristics -- that's medical-speak for your reproductive system starting to work, preparing you for the day, many years in the future, when you might decide to have children of your own.

What is puberty?• By the time puberty's over, your

body will be bigger and more "adult looking," and there will be more noticeable differences between you and someone of the opposite sex.

When does it happen?

• Girls begin puberty between 9 – 12 years of age.

• Boys begin puberty between 12 – 16 years of age.

• It is not a race. Puberty happens when it happens, and every person is on his or her own schedule. The important thing is to understand what's going on so that it doesn't take you by surprise or confuse you.

What causes puberty?

• Hormones cause puberty. These are chemicals produced by your glands that tell the different parts of your body to change and mature. If you're baking a loaf of bread, you add yeast to the dough, right? The yeast is a special ingredient that makes the dough rise. Without it, the bread would be flat. Hormones are kind of the same thing. Your glands add them to your body -- like a special ingredient -- so you can grow up.

Hormones• In girls, puberty is controlled by

the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

• In boys, puberty is controlled by a hormone called testosterone.

Changes to the body• Acne (aka zits)• Sweat – a lot more than usual. • Intense emotions – insecurity, sensitive, mood

swings, etc.• Body hair• Muscles• Voice lowers• Development of secondary sex characteristics –

talk to parent/guardian about specific information.• Girls begin period – talk to parent/guardian about

proper care.

Who to trust• There are many different ways that

kids find out about puberty. Some are right and some are wrong. Good ways of finding out what you need to know are:

• Talking to parents/guardians• Talking to guidance counselors• Talking to school nurse/doctor

Societal influences• Our society and cultures influence our

behavioral choices and feelings. All of the following things/people influence how we feel about ourselves.

• TV, Movies, Commercials, & Advertisements

• Role models• Parents/Guardians, family members &

friends

Childhood Obesity• Is know to start earlier for girls.• Some weight gain is natural during

puberty and varies from one person to another……again hormones.

• LIfE-Style does effect this as well. If you take in more calories eating than you burn through exercise you will gain weight no matter HOW old you are. – If you gain excessive weight then it is

probably due to lack of exercise and poor diet.

Acne• Acne is a very common condition

which teens struggle with during puberty.

• Teens get acne because of the hormonal changes that come with puberty.

Acne……• Teens with parents who had or have

acne are more prone to have acne themselves.

• About 8 out of 10 people will have acne.

• For most people acne goes away almost completely by the time they are out of their teens.

Puberty poem• My legs are getting longer

My feet are growing tooI'm starting to get pimplesI'm glad that you are too!

The boys are talking 'six packs'The girls discussing brasMake-up, fashion, friendshipsBoys are mad on cars.

Confusing and excitingThe self I feel and seeI guess that I am changingInto an adult me.

BH