Answer:
Changes in the health dimensions during puberty
Physical Changes
These are some of the general changes that happen to adolescent boys and girls during puberty:
• There is a rapid increase in height and weight. Boys experience this usually two years later than girls. The head, hands and feet grow faster first, then the arms and legs, and then the chest and shoulders. This is why the body of an dolescent seems to be out of proportion.
• Changes in circulatory and respiratory systems—The heart and lungs grow bigger and work better, so the adolescent becomes stronger and can work longer, although the increase is more in boys than in girls.
• Body composition—Muscles develop rapidly, although boys’ muscles grow faster than girls’. Body fat increases, although the increase in girls’ body fat is more than the boys’.
• Other changes:
o There is a sudden increase in hormone production.
o Bones become harder.
o Sweat and oil glands become more active. 20
