The Biological Transformations of Adolescence

Contents

Background………………………………………………………………………………… 3

What is Puberty? ..................................................................... 3

Changes in Puberty……………………………………………………………….. 3

Physical changes……………………………………………………………………. 4

Primary Sex characteristics……………………………………………………… 4

Secondary Sex Characteristics…………………………………………………. 4

Psychological Impact of Puberty………………………………………………….. 5

Pubertal Timing………………………………………………………………………. 6

Eating Disorders……………………………………………………………………….. 7

Steroid Use…………………………………………………………………………….... 7

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………… 8

References……………………………………………………………………………………. 9

Adolescence is the time of growth and maturation. It is a stage of transition from childhood towards adulthood (Larson, Wilson, & Rickman, 2009; Schlegel, 2009). This phase of life occurs approximately at the age of 10 and concludes in the early 20s. During the course of adolescence individuals exhibit a great deal of changes; one of them being the biological changes. During the biological manifestations of adolescence, individuals demonstrate physical changes and psychological changes

The physical changes occurring during the adolescence is due to puberty. Puberty is derived from Latin, pubertas or “adulthood”. Although it may seem that puberty comes on abruptly, it is actually a slow and continuous procedure. In fact, it begins at conception (Susman, Dorn, 2009). Genetic factors and environmental factors are both responsible for puberty initiation. Thus as a result, certain individual mature earlier than others. Generally, girls go through puberty two years before boys do. There are three main physical changes produced by puberty; the rapid increase in both height and weight of the individual, the progression of primary sex characteristics, and the progression and maturation of secondary sex characteristics. First, both genders going through puberty, have a rapid increase in height; known as the Adolescent Growth Spurt. During this period, boys grow approximately 4 inches in a year; while girls grow about 3.5 inches in a year. Majority of the height increase occurs from the lengthening of the torso. The head, hands, and feet grows first; followed by the growth of arms and legs. Finally, the torso and the shoulder grows. Evidentially, puberty does not permit the simultaneous growth of all body parts; hence, individuals going through puberty have a disproportionate physique. Also, during this period, almost fifty percent of an individual’s weight is gained (Susman, Dorn, 2009). This increase in weight is as a result of the increase in muscle and fat. In both sexes, the muscular development is fast. The different is that, boys’ is much more rapid compared to girls’. At the end of adolescence period, the muscle-to-fat ratio for boys and girls is 3 to 1 and 5 to 4 respectively (Smoll & Schutz, 1990).

Second, the development of primary sex characteristics is noted. This is the growth of the gonads; in males it is the testes and in girls it is the ovaries. This allows for reproduction and is caused by the hormonal changes in the body. A system in our body, referred to as the Endocrine System, is responsible for the productions, regulation, and circulation of hormones. The hormones which are significant to puberty, transport their command by activating special neurons in the brain, called Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons (Sisk, Foster, 2004). The central nervous system dictates the endocrine system, to either increase, decrease or inhibit the level of hormones. There is a set level for hormones in the body to attain, once a hormone level drops below that point, the release of that hormones is initiated until set level achieved. Finally, the secondary sex characteristics are developed. It is divided into phases, called Tanner stages. Sexual maturation in boys, is usually consistent. During the first phase growth of testes, scrotum, and pubic hair is perceived. At this point the pubic hair is light colored and of fine texture. One year into puberty, the growth spurt in height occurs. The penis starts to grow. Now, the pubic hair is rougher, darker, and curlier. During the late stages, facial and body hair grows. Another implication of puberty, is the deepening of the voice; which develops slowly but more apparent later in puberty. Boys start to experience having uneven and rough skin by the upper arms and thighs. They develop more sweat glands, resulting in oily skin and acne. Girls however, tend to have more inconsistent development of sex characteristics development. The first clue in girls’ maturation is the breast growth; although in about thirty percent of females, the initial growth of pubic hair precedes breast development. Like boys, girls’ pubic hair growth and texture is the same. Breast development occurs in a few stages. Initially, the areola becomes wide and the nipple become elevated. In the intermediate stage, both areola and the nipple appear more defined from the breast. At this time, the girls’ growth spurt begins. In the terminal stage, the areola is enclosed to the shape of the breast; and the nipple remains elevated. Irrespective of what breast size, every girl experiences these breast development stages; thus it is the best signal of sexual maturation. Like boys develop in penis, seminal vesicles, and prostate, girls develop in uterus, vagina, clitoris, and labia. One of the late manifestation of puberty in girls is menarche. It is the initiation of menstruation. Overall, girls’ complete reproductive system does not function few years post menarche; and regular ovulation occurs by about two years. This indicates that girls may look mature physically during puberty, but they are not fertile till later; whereas boys are fertile way prior to their adult- like exterior appearance.

Likewise, puberty affects adolescents psychologically in various ways (Brooks-Gunn, Graber, Paikoff, 1994). Puberty can start as early as 7 years of age in girls; and 9 ½ in boys. It may start as late as 13 years of age in girls; and 13 ½ in boys. Finally, the time from the beginning to end of puberty may be as short as 1 ½ years and as long as 6 years in girls; as short as 2 years and as long as 5 years in boys (J. Tanner, 1972). Evidentially, this impacts both genders psychologically in good and bad ways. Early and late maturing adolescents tend to stand out between peers physically, thus incorporating various reactions and anticipations from peers, family, and society. On the positive side, many studies indicated that boys maturing early than their peers, feel more confident and have higher self-esteem. They are more likely to be popular than their age mates (Graber, Lewinsohn, and Seeley, & Brooks- Gunn, 1997; M.C. Jones & Bayley, 1950). On the negative side, they are more prone to problems such as being antisocial, minor criminal issues, and trouble at school (Dick, Rose, Pulkkinen & Kaprio, 2001; Drapela, Gebett, & Mcree, 2006; Windstrom, 2001). Remarkably, the effects of bullying on an early maturing adolescent is much more significant than a peer who has not gone through puberty. This is because the embarrassment is much greater to be physically bigger and stronger than peers, yet still be teased and bullied ( Nadeem $ Graham, 2005). Also, early maturing boys are more likely to associate themselves with older peers; leading them to problematic activities such as drug use (Andersson, Magnusson, 1990). On the contrary, although late maturing boys tend to be not popular, they have advantages over early matured boys; such as better mental power. This is due to lengthier preadolescence period where they have a more adequate time to be psychologically better prepared for puberty (Ge, Brody, Conger, Simons & Murry, 2002; Ge et al., 2003; Pskin, 1967). Both, early maturing girls and boys, appear to have behaviour problems; drugs, alcohol, poor academic performance, and early sexual relationships (Dick, Rose, Viken, & Kapris, 2000; Stice, Presnell, & Beaman, 2001; Wichstrom, 2001). Unlike boys, girls do not have a positive view of early maturity. They appear to have lower self-esteem and higher chances of developing depression, eating disorders, and emotional breakdowns (W.A. Collins, Steinberg, 2006; Mendle, Turkheimer, Emery, 2007; Natsuaki, Biehl & Ge, 2009; Stice, Presnell, Bearman, 2001).Despite such effect of early maturity on girls, studies have shown that they are more popular than peers, especially among boys (Simmons, Blyth& McKinney, 1983). Incongruously, this popularity is linked with them being more emotionally ill for pressures of dating and sexually involved in relationships (Ge, Best, Conger, Simons, 1996). Since girls mature about two years before boys do anyways, early maturity victimizes them even further. They feel awkward in between both girl and boy peers. The opposite is true for late maturing boys. Either way, self-image and confidence of both are altered.

In the last fifty years, obesity has massively spread between adolescents of North America. Obesity is the most common eating disorders among adolescents; predominantly among girls. The risk of obesity among adolescents has tripled in the last forty years. An average girls is 10 pounds overweight while an average boy is 15 pounds overweight. Consequently, obesity may causes depression, and low self-esteem (Zametkin et al., 2004).Studies have shown that girls who are obese tend to not attend college or university; but has been proven the contradictory for boys (Crosnoe, 2007). Besides obesity, there are other eating disorders young adolescents are currently suffering from. Though there are factors such as depression, tobacco use, and alcohol use responsible for eating disorders, media and the society play a significant role. Through fashion magazines, advertisements, or weight loss products, media supports and exemplifies thinness as beauty; hence adolescent girls are increasingly becoming concerned and dissatisfied with their body image (Hargraeves, Tiggemann, 2003). Research has indicated that girls are ten times more likely to suffer from eating disorders than boys (Jacobi, Hayward, Kraemer, Agras, 2004). In a study, over 33% of adolescent girls felt they were overweight while they were of normal weight; of those, 5% were underweight. On the contrary, less than 7% of boys believed to be overweight while they were in normal range weight (Paxton et al., 1991). Extreme body dissatisfaction in girls results in an eating disorder known as, bulimia. Bulimic adolescents force themselves to vomit; in order to avoid gaining weight. In even more severe cases girls starve themselves; known as anorexia nervosa. These eating disorders have dangerous health side effects; including death of the individual. Likewise, adolescent boys are increasingly becoming dissatisfied with their body. Just like majority of girls are predisposed to be thin, boys are inclined to be muscular and big. This pressure forces them to participate in unhealthy activities like steroid use; to create the modern form of male body (Ricciardelli, McCabe, 2004). Steroids are drugs that allow adolescents to lose fat and gain weight at a rate that is virtually impossible by nature. Again, movies, magazines, and advertisements are all an indirect approach in conveying that men must be muscular in order to be considered attractive. Although a small percentage of females use steroids as well, it is mainly boys who are using it the most. Steroids do have many hazardous health side effects which may be irreversible due to its prolonged use, including death.

In summary, puberty is a very important and influential aspect of an adolescent’s life. During puberty various changes takes place including physical and psychological changes. The impact of physical changes depends on two factors; the gender and timing of puberty. Generally, boys welcome early maturity as it boosts their self-esteem. On the contrary, girls chiefly perceive it negatively; declining their self-esteem. Though there are positive effects of early maturity in both genders, such as popularity in between peers, many negative effects such as psychological issues are followed. Late maturity in both genders do not have an immediate fondness. However, generally late maturity provides a better long term outcome than early maturity in both females and male adolescents. The psychological problems that rise from puberty have a few sources. Early maturity brings on depression, scholastic achievement decline, drug use and so on. Moreover, the society and media portrays beauty in thinness in girls; and attraction in muscularity in boys. Both of these environmental pressures causes adolescents to be psychologically affected even further. Consequently, girls develop eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexic nervosa; while boys turn to drugs such as steroids to be muscular. Therefore, the changes and problems many adolescents are experiencing in today’s society is of major concern. The issues they are facing are growing increasingly; and if no changes are brought on, this will further increase and eventually pass on to generations. Parents must discuss puberty changes with their children more in depth. It is even more crucial for parents to be involved in their child’s life closely. Adolescents must be comfortable communicating with their parents of their concerns and questions of adolescence. Parent should be more aware of their child’s behaviour toward food. If they are concerned, it must be addressed and discussed. If needed, they should be provided with counselling before they develop life threatening eating disorders. Likewise, many of the issues discussed can be substantially reduced if not preventable; to provide a healthy and stable present and future of the adolescent.

References

Gurian, M. (1999. Jason and his brothers: What it’s really like for adolescent boys in America. In E. Aries (Ed.), Adolescent Behavior: Readings and interpretations (2001). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Steinberg, L. (2011). Chapter 1. In Adolescence (9th ed.), 22-54. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Young, L. Steroids: Big in Canada (2011). Retrieved from http://www.globalnews.ca/Pages/story.aspx?id=6442546103

Loeb, K. L. (n.d.). Anorexia nervosa in teens: What parents should know. Farleigh Dickinson University, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.