1. Physical
Development of the
High School
Learners
Module 24
Reported by: Venus D. Carbonel

2.  Adolescence (from Latin adolescere, meaning 'to
grow up') is a transitional stage of physical and
psychological development that generally
occurs during the period from puberty to legal
adulthood or age of majority. (Wikipedia)
Defining Adolescence
 the period of life when a child develops into an
adult : the period from puberty to maturity
terminating legally at the age of majority.
(Merriam-Webster)
 the period of time in a person's life when they are
developing into an adult (Cambridge)
 Adolescence is a period of
transition in terms of physical,
cognitive and socio-emotional
changes, physical transition being
particularly coupled with sexual
transformation.

3.  The period of adolescence
begins with biological changes
of puberty and ends with the
role and work of adult life.
Defining Adolescence
 The advent of puberty
may come early for some
and late for others.
Late bloomer
 Every one goes
through these
stages.

4. Three Stages of Adolescence
Characterized by puberty
mostly occurring
between ages
10 - 12
 Early adolescence

5. Three Stages of Adolescence
Characterized by
identity issues
within the ages
of 14 – 16.
 Middle Adolescence

6.  Late adolescence
Three Stages of Adolescence
Marks the
transition into
adulthood at
ages 17 - 20

7. Pubertal changes
In all cultures, biological changes comprises the
major transition from childhood to early to early
adolescence. This is manifested by a change in
physical appearance, a more rapid rate of
development (next to the speed of growth of the
fetus in the uterus) known as growth spurt.
The phenomenon commonly
result in the feeling of
awkwardness and unfamiliarity
with bodily changes.
In addition, alterations in
sleeping habits and parent-
adolescent relationship may be
experienced accompanying
puberty changes.

8. The growth hormone conditions gradual
increases in body size, and weight, but
hormones flooding occurs during
adolescence causing an acceleration
known as the growth spurt.
Body changes include change in body
dimensions(leg length, shoulder width,
trunk growth rather than leg growth.
In girls, the growth spurt generally
begins at age 10 reaching its peak at age
11 and-a-half, and decreasing at age 13,
while slow continual growth occurs for
several more years. At age 16 and girls
reach 98% of their adult height,
The Growth Spurt

9. Sexual Maturity
Hormones are recognized to be powerful and highly
specialized chemical substances that interact with bodily cells.
The human body secretes and circulates
some 50 different hormones. A wide
variety of these chemical substances are
produced by endocrine cells, most of
which are in glands. The hormones
then enter the blood system to circulate
throughout the body and activate target cells.
Different hormones have different effects on the shape of the
body. They help in body growth, development, metabolism,
sexual function, reproduction etc.
Endocrine System’s Glands
Hypothalamus Pineal
Pituitary Gland Thyroid
Parathyroid Thymus
Adrenal Pancreas
Ovaries Testes

10. Sexual Maturity
The triggering by the hormones of
the Hypothalamus glands on
hormones of the pituitary glands
signal the entire process of sexual
maturation. During the process,
Gonadotropic Hormone are
secreted by the anterior pituitary
GONADS are the ovaries in the female
and the testis in the male, are then
stimulated by the gonatrotopic hormones,
in turn stimulating their own hormones.
Testosterone is secreted when the
male testis is stimulated by the
gonadotropic hormones.
Estrogen is secreted when the female
ovary is stimulated by the GnRH.
GnRH Concentration
Low before puberty, Rises during Puberty

11. Sexual Maturity (First Sign of Puberty)
Characteristic of stimulated Testosterone
 Growth of testis, scrotum and penis
precedes the growth spurt in height
 First pubic hair precedes by the
appearance of facial hair.
 Ejaculation capacity
 Growth spurt
 Voice change most obvious aspect
of adolescents development.
Characteristic of stimulated Estrogen
 Breast Enlargement accompanied
by the growth of the uterus and
vagina.
 Appearance of pubic hair.
 Widening of hips
 Growth spurt

12. Sexual Maturity (First Sign of Puberty)
Menarche
female’s first menstruation Generally
achieve beginning 11 to 11.5 yrs
up to 12. to 12.5 years.
Differ according to ethnicity:
African-American and European-American
girls may exhibit secondary sex
characteristics as early 8.87 yrs and 9.96 yrs
Spermarche
signals the first sign of puberty and
sexual maturity in boys. At about age 12
or 13, boys.
The need to discharge semen occurs more
or less periodically following pressure
caused by the production of seminal
fluid by the prostate gland. Nocturnal
emissions or “wet dream” occur during
sleep often caused by sexual dreams

13. The Secular Trend
E.g. In 1880, The average age at which
girls and their first menstrual period in
well nourished industrial societies was
15 and 17 years. This is not true,
however, in depressed societies wherein
this period is a bit later at about 15.5
years.
One hundred years ago, boys reached
their adult height at ages 23 and 25 and
girls at ages 19 and 20. today, maximum
height is reached between 18 and 20
years for boys and 13 and 14 for girls.
Factors ascribed the
occurrence
of the Secular Trend
Environmental influences
Improvement in health
care
Improved living
conditions
Control of infectious
diseases
Better nutrition
The secular trend in development is the fact
that puberty is starting earlier for boys and girls
now than it did a hundred years ago.
The beginning of puberty is still getting earlier,
especially for girls.

14. Adolescents Sleeping Habit
 Teenagers are not getting enough sleep, and would want more
sleep.
 Lack of sleep is likely caused by changes in adolescent behavioral
patterns.
 90% of teenager high school student report going to bed later than
midnight
Reasons for Lack of Sleep
 They enjoy it
 Too much electronics
 Socializing with peers.
 Homework
Effects of Lack of Sleep
 Difficulties in waking up
early
 Struggle to stay alert and
function productively.

15. Exploration
Instinctively adolescents become aware of changes in sexuality,
thus undergoing a period of exploration and adjustment.
Learners from sectarian schools are more
likely to consider sexual openness to be
dangerous, if not sinful.
The case is not perceived among
non- sectarian or gender mixed schools,
although more dangers exist relating to
heterosexual relationship and early
pregnancy among students in
non- exclusive schools.
The drug culture presents a serious
danger to students who are undergoing
the exploratory phase of adolescents
development.

16. Pluses and minuses in early or late maturation
Early or late maturation deserves due consideration, as this can
be a factor for adolescent acceptance and comfort or satisfaction
with his/her body image.

17. The Ideal Masculine and Feminine Physiques
Most adolescence desire an “ideal body”,
which is the same as being attractive or
handsome in face (features of the eyes,
nose, lips, hair, etc.) and in body (tall and
muscular for boys and tall and slender
for girls).
In the developed countries like
U.S. about 10% of adolescents have
been known to take anabolic
steroids in tablet or in injectable
form for cosmetic and athletic
performance purposes. It is
important to forewarn adolescents
about the severe harmful effects of
long term use of steroids: liver
dysfunction, cancer and damage to
the productive system.

18. Adolescents and Nutrition
Necessary for adolescent
years are sufficient amounts
of vitamin B12 (found in
animal proteins), calcium,
zinc, iron, riboflavin and
vitamin D.
The vegetarian fad can also be disastrous especially to adolescents
who need vitamin, minerals and protein which vegetable diets
cannot provide. Vegetable intake is good, but this should be
balanced with food intake to form high- quality nutrition including
eating protein sources such as milk, dairy products and eggs
Magic diet schemes
suggested by
advertising and
magazines to lose
weight, give a
radiant hair, whiten
the skin, etc. should
be met with caution.

19. It’s important that adolescent feel confident
about their body image. The physical
features of the human body (facial looks,
body size, color of skin, etc.) depend on
genetic heritage which must generally be
respected. However with advancement in
hair and skin technology, change in hair
color and skin are no longer impossible.
The Ideal Body
There is more to body image than
physical looks and these concern
good habits in relation to:
 Cleanliness and grooming
 Proper wearing of clothes
following current styles
 Erect bodily posture
 Eye contact while
communicating
 Decorum (good form and
confidence) and decency

20. Photos not mine, credit to the owners.