Adolescence is an exciting but confusing time for boys and girls. It is a time of rapid development and changes. It is during this time that many issues are addressed and the results from these adjustments greatly impact adult life. Two issues which adolescences must address are those of puberty and obesity (Feldman, 2008).
Puberty is the period of time in which sexual organs mature. As a rule puberty starts earlier in girls then boys. Both boys and girls can be embarrassed by the changes that occurring in their bodies as they mature. For boys, early maturation is desirable because they are more success in athletic endeavors due to larger size, tend to be more popular, and therefore, have a more positive self image. On the other hand, late maturing boys are generally less success athletically and face the embarrassment of being smaller than their potential dates. Early maturing girls may have to deal with ridicule from slower maturing peers. However, there may be an advantage for early maturing girls as they are sought after as potential dates and tend to be popular which improves their self image. Late maturing girls tend to have fewer emotional problems and a more positive self image as they have had the opportunity to grow into their bodies. They also tend to develop the culturally more attractive supermodel thin look (Feldman, 2008).
More and more adolescences are suffering from obesity. Poor food selections and a lack of exercise are considered by most experts as being the leading culprits to this trend. It is harmful to body image and self concept. Obesity in childhood usually continues into adolescence and adulthood. The physical damage done to the body is well documented as well as the psychological damage (Feldman, 2008).
Reference
Feldman, R. (2008). Development across the lifespan. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall
