YOUTH HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Youth is the time in the lifespan from 12 to 18 years of age.

Physical Development: refers to the changes that relate to people’s size and shape and therefore body structure Physical Development Changes During Youth Rapid growth spurt Sexual maturity achieved (primary sexual characteristics)Changes in physical appearance (secondary sexual characteristics)Increase in size of muscles, bones, organs and reproductive organsGross and fine motor skills refined

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Primary Sexual Characteristics during Youth

Primary sexual characteristics are related to the development of the sex organs and reproductive system of males and females, enabling them to reproduce

  Primary Sex Characteristics Secondary Sex CharacteristicsFEMALE

 

 

Enlargement and development of sex organs :-The ovaries and uterus grow and the vaginal lining thickens. Reached maturity and reproduction possible occurs with the first menstrual period. 

Grow tallerWider at the hipsBreast development begins with bud stage, nipples enlarge and protrude.. Continues for about 4 years.Body hair – pubic and underarm, legsVoice change – lowerWeight spurt begins

MALE

 

 

 

Enlargement and development of sex organs:-The testes grow, the penis lengthens and the scrotum enlarges and lengthens.Reproductive potential indicator is the first ejaculation of seminal fluid.

Grow taller and shoulders broadenBody hair – pubic, underarms, arms and legs hair coarser, facial hairVoice Change –lower and loss of control

Emotional Development: refers to feelings and moods and the ways in which people express, understand and exercise control over them..

the ability to control emotions such as anger

a change in the factors that trigger our emotions such as the things we fear and the things that make us angry

increasing ability to have abstract thoughts – think what it would be like to be in another persons shoes – role play.

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Social development : increasing complexity of behaviour patterns used in relationships with other people

the ability to have meaningful relationships with members of both sexes

ability to form strong friendships within a group, peer group relationships important

increasing independence from parents, developing romantic relationships development of a personal identity

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Intellectual development (cognitive) refers to changes in our ability to think and reason

increase in thinking skills – asking questions increase in reasoning skills and the ability to

learn more complex skills During youth we develop the ability to think

about the possible consequences of our actions, distinguish between reality and fantasy and think about the future

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Biological determinants or factors are concerned with the body’s cells, tissues, organs and systems and how they function

Hormone changes – oestrogen (females), Testosterone (males)

Genetics – male/female (sex)

Body weight – over or under weight, BMI

BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS

Biological: Genetics -

-inherit from parents 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs. One chromosome in each

pair comes from the mother and the other one from the father.

chromosomes contain GENES – trait carriers of the characteristics of the person eg. eyes, hair, height and weight potential, muscle mass

- genetic conditions caused by abnormalities in the genes eg Down’s Syndrome

- inheritance of sex – male XY or Female XX

Genetics

Biological: Body Weight

BMI =( kg/m² )

weight in kilograms—————height in meters²

IMPACT OF BODY WEIGHT ON YOUTH:

Carrying excess body weight can impact negatively on the HHD of youth in many ways.

Physical health: youth may develop cardiovascular conditions, asthma, type 2 diabetesAs well as reducing their physical fitness levels because it becomes increasingly difficult to exercise. If excess body weight continues into adulthood, this can lead to health problems ie Cardio-vascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancers, osteoarthritis.

Biological: Body Weight

Social Health: Youth that are overweight or obese may be excluded from certain activities by others. Eg not invited to parties or to join sporting teams impacting on their social health.  Mental health: They might be bullied by their peers which could have a negative impact on their mental health, making them feel unhappy and/or depressed.

BODY WEIGHT

Physical Development will be negatively impacted, because they might not participate in sporting events, which could have a negative effect on their motor skill development.

Social Development: if youth are isolated because of their size, they may miss out on social experiences which can affect their communication skills

Emotional Development: youth that are overweight or obese might feel negative about their body, which will impact on their self esteem and confidence and ability to form meaningful relationships. Intellectual Development: Being victimised at school may make them want to not attend school or find it difficult to concentrate on school work which will negatively impact on their intellectual development

BODY WEIGHT:

Behavioural determinants or factors focus on the decisions people make and how they choose to lead their lives.- Level of Physical Activity – healthy body weight, self esteem- Substance use eg binge drinking, smoking,- Food intake – eg poor fruit intake- Sexual practices – contraception, STI, Pregnancy- Sun Protection – melanoma- Developing and Maintaining relationships - - - Seeking help from health professionals  

DETERMINANT: BEHAVIOURAL

LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Physical Health: increased fitness, energy

levels, better sleep patterns, reduced stress, prevent diseases

  Mental Health: reduces stress, positive body

image, reduces depression and anxiety  Social Health: provides opportunity to make

friends, be in a team,

BEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANT

Physical Development: role in reaching growth potential and motor skill development

Emotional Development: build positive self esteem and confidence , self discipline

Social Development: interactions with a variety of people enhancing communication skills

Intellectual Development: assists with sleep and ability to concentrate

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (cont)

Physical activity ideas:

ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: Physical Health:Provision of local parks and sports grounds means space for youth to be active, and therefore improve fitness levels and maintain appropriate body weight.

Social Health:If the parks/facilities are well maintained and offer youth with their preferred Activity, eg a skate park, then youth can use these areas as a place to meetWith friends. Mental Health:Enjoyment, satisfaction, confidence, motivation

Determinant:Physical Environment

Physical Development:By being active this will enhance youth motor skills and assist in bone density and muscle development

Social Development: Youth taking part in recreational acitivities increase their opportunity to interact. With people the same age and enhance their social development.

Emotional Development:Experiencing success and enjoyment whilst participating in recreational activities, will enhance self esteem and confidence and therefore emotional development.

Intellectual Development:Youth will learn new skills whilst participating in recreational activities eg learn to surf.

Physical Environment: (cont)

Family:DETERMINANT: Social Environment

Social environment refers to the ‘social situation’ in which people live.

- Socio-economic status of parents

- Family cohesion – sense of belonging, loved, role models etc

- Parental health and disability – eg parent mental health illness

Social Environment:

Socio-economically disadvantaged parents tend to be overweight, lack fresh fruit and veggies and so are poor role models to youth, who could also suffer poor physical health problems ie obesity, increased illness etc.

Socio-economically disadvantaged families are often under stress to low income, job instability etc. this could negatively impact on the mental health of all family members.

Socio-economically disadvantaged families have the worst education outcomes, which could impact on the intellectual development of youth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pzDclniQzg

SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS

The quality of community relationships within the community and the services available in the community can all affect health and development.

- Media – use of internet for communication- Social Support – peer group, connectedness, etc- Violence in the Community – partner violence- Community and civic participation – volunteer work etc- Access to education – attendance, success etc- Homelessness – poor outcomes on all aspects of health

Social Environment:Community

The Community: The MediaWhat types of media are available to

youth today?

Determinants:Social Environment

What impact does the media have on Youth?

Access to the internet provides youth with the opportunity to communicate with friends. This enhances their social and mental health. It can also enhance intellectual development, as they can obtain information, get advice etc. regarding are wide range of topics.

The media can also have a negative impact on youth emotional and social development. For example youth can be portrayed on tv in undesirable roles, eg drinking and smoking, have relationships at a young age etc.

Community: The Media

Youth can be influenced in their food intake from persuasive advertising that can lead to overeating and obesity, which affects their physical health.

The different forms of media influence youth perceptions of social behavior and impacts on their own social development. It also contributes to the development of a sense of self for a young person and hence has an impact on mental development in relation to acquiring self concept and self esteem. Eg healthy or unhealthy body image especially among female youth who try and copy models in magazines, music videos, TV and films.

Social Environment: Media cont.

Physical health can directly be influenced if youth spend large amounts of time on video/computer games, rather than pursuing physical activity. Too much sedentary activity can lead to backaches, migraine, overweight/obesity.

Social Environment: Media

PRIVACY:* social networking sites usually offer privacy and security settings. It is important to familiarise yourself with these settings and use them.WHO ARE YOU NETWORKING WITH• Remember, when you are interacting with someone online,

who you do not know in real life, they may not be who they claim to be

THINK BEFORE YOU ACCEPT* Think carefully before accepting friend requests. If you would not be friends with somebody offline (or do not know them in your real life) perhaps you should not accept them as an online friend.

CYBER SMART NETWORK TIPS:

KEEP ONLINE FRIENDS ONLINE• If you want to meet an online friend in real life

and you do not know them, ask a parent or trusted adult first

THINK BEFORE YOU POST* Think about the short and long term consequences of what you post online. After all, once you post something it cannot be taken back and becomes part of your digital reputation.IGNORE Do not respond to unkind or bullying messages.

CYBER SMART NETWORK TIPS

Determinant Example Impact on health and/or development

Physical environment Access to recreational facilities

Adequate recreational facilities is one important measure to reduce sedentary lifestyles and increase the activity levels and fitness of youth which will help to combat the increasing rate of overweight and obesity among Australian youth.

Social environment (family)

Family cohesion A sense of connectedness to family and family cohesion are seen as protective factors for the mental health of youth.

Social environment (community)

Access to education Having access to education can have a positive impact on intellectual development as youth will learn a number of new skills, increase vocabulary and increase their ability to reason.