Adolescence happens from ages 10 to 19 and its a time when your body grows really fast. During this period, your body starts preparing itself for adulthood. Humans cannot reproduce right after birth – we need to mature first just like those plants.
Growing With Age: The Teenage Years
Adolescence usually starts around age 10 and can go on till 19. Its basically the stage that comes between childhood and adulthood. Some common changes you’ll notice include:
- Your height and weight increases
- You become stronger
- Your appearance changes
- Each person experiences these changes differently
- The timing can vary from person to person
- These changes are completely normal and natural
Remember, everyone’s body is different so don’t worry if your changes happen earlier or later than your friends.
Changes that Indicate Reproductive Capability
During adolescence, you’ll see both visible changes on the outside and internal changes inside your body. These internal changes are actually preparing your body for reproduction.
For Girls:
- The menstrual cycle begins (also called periods)
- Menstrual cycles happen every 28-30 days but can range from 21-35 days
- Menstruation involves blood discharge for 3-7 days
- Some girls may feel pain or discomfort during this time
- Menstruation stops naturally between ages 45-55
- Having periods is actually a sign of good reproductive health
Imp Points about Menstruation:
- Many myths exist about menstruation like isolating girls during their periods
- These myths have no scientific basis and only cause shame
- Understanding menstruation properly helps promote women’s health
- Its a completely natural process that every girl goes through
Emotional and Behavioural Changes in Adolescents
Adolescence brings lots of emotional and behavioral changes too. Your emotions become much stronger than they were in childhood. You might experience mood swings that can lead to different behaviors.
Many adolescents start engaging in new activities like:
- Music and singing
- Different sports
- Art and creativity
- Social work and helping others
These strong emotions also make adolescents more sensitive. This sensitivity can actually be good because it leads to compassion and interest in social work. You might find yourself caring more about others and wanting to help them.
Understanding your emotions helps you make better choices. When you think before reacting to situations, you can improve your decision-making skills.
Making Adolescence a Joyful Experience
Meeting Nutritional Needs
During adolescence, your body needs lots of good nutrition for proper growth. Here’s what you need:
Essential Nutrients:
- Proteins and Carbohydrates: Support physical development
- Fats, Vitamins, and Minerals: Also very essential
- Calcium: Helps bone growth (found in milk, curd, cheese)
- Iron: Important for blood formation (found in spinach, kidney beans)
| Nutrient | Food Sources | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Milk, curd, cheese | Strong bones and teeth |
| Iron | Spinach, kidney beans | Healthy blood formation |
| Proteins | Milk, eggs, pulses | Energy and muscle growth |
| Vitamin B12 | Meat, fish, dairy | Proper nerve function |
Iron or vitamin B12 deficiency can cause serious health problems. The good news is that iron deficiency can be managed by eating iron-rich foods. Government also has schemes to help prevent such deficiencies.
Fun fact: Vitamin B12 was studied by scientist Dorothy Hodgkin and its really vital for our body. Our body cannot make vitamin B12 on its own – it has to come from food!
Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene becomes really imp during adolescence. Here are some imp tips:
- Keep armpits and pubic areas clean to prevent infections
- Girls need to maintain menstrual hygiene for comfort and health
- Use sanitary pads or reusable cloth pads during periods
- Government provides sanitary pads at low or no cost
- Schools and public places should have proper hygiene facilities
Proper Disposal:
- Used sanitary pads should be wrapped properly
- Dispose them in dustbins only
- Use biodegradable sanitary pads – they’re environment-friendly
- Proper disposal keeps our community clean and healthy
Physical Activities
Regular exercise is super imp for adolescents to stay fit and healthy. Sports and games help build stamina and also boost your mood. Physical activities support both your body and mind, so participation in various activities improves your overall well-being.
Balanced Social Life
As an adolescent, you interact with society every day. Being polite and respectful creates a safe environment for everyone. You might experience new emotions that lead to attraction towards others or wanting to copy your peers.
Social Media Guidelines:
- Online platforms allow information sharing and connections
- Use social media responsibly
- Cyberbullying means harassing others online
- If you face cyberbullying, seek help from parents or teachers immediately
- Never share personal information or photos with strangers
- Always get guidance from elders for positive social media use
Avoiding Harmful Substances – Learn to Say NO
Sometimes peers might pressure you to try harmful substances. But remember:
- Substances like tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are very addictive
- They cause serious health issues like lung damage and memory loss
- Addiction often starts with trying “just once”
- Saying “NO” to these substances is really imp
- Stay firm to protect your physical and mental health
If someone is already addicted, they should seek help from family, friends, or counselors. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan raises awareness about substance abuse. There’s also a National De-addiction Helpline (14446) that supports people with addiction.
The ‘Why’ Question for Adolescence
All these changes in adolescence are driven by hormones. Hormones are basically chemicals that your body produces naturally. They regulate growth, development, and body functions.
Hormones get released based on signals from your brain. Some hormones affect your mood and behavior too. These same hormones cause menstruation and other puberty signs that you experience.
In a Nutshell
Adolescence is the transition period from childhood to adulthood, happening between ages 10-19. It involves physical, biological, and emotional changes. Secondary sexual characteristics help distinguish males from females.
Puberty prepares your body for reproduction. For girls, menstruation starts at puberty and continues till age 45-55. Emotional changes affect behavior and decision-making abilities.
A balanced diet, proper hygiene, and regular exercise promote good health. Avoiding addictive substances protects your well-being. Remember, hormones control all adolescent changes, and proper guidance helps you manage adolescence responsibly.
Questions and Answers
Q1. Ramesh developed pimples on his face. What could be the reasons and how can he get relief?
Pimples occur due to hormonal changes during puberty. Hormones increase oil production in skin glands, and excess oil clogs pores leading to pimples. For relief, wash face twice daily with gentle cleanser, avoid popping pimples, use oil-free products, eat healthy food, and consult doctor if needed.
Q2. Which food group is better for adolescents – junk food or balanced diet?
Balanced diet is much better because it provides essential nutrients for growth, energy, and health. Milk offers calcium for strong bones, vegetables like spinach provide iron for blood health, while junk food lacks nutrients and causes obesity.
Q3. What behavioral changes happen during adolescence besides mood swings?
Adolescents show increased sensitivity, develop compassion, join social initiatives, show interest in music or sports, become curious about creative things, feel attraction to peers, may take risks, and use social media more.
Download Free Mind Map from the link below
This mind map contains all important topics of this chapter
Visit our Class 7 Curiosity page for free mind maps of all Chapters