Subject Code Health 1 The Adolescent: Addressing Essential for Holistic Development

Module Code 1.0 Growth and Development

Lesson Code 1.2 Changes in the Health Dimensions during Adolescence
Time Frame 60 minutes / 2 sessions

Components Tasks TA ATA

a
(min) (min)
b

Target By the end of this learning guide, the students should be able to: 1
1. apply coping skills in dealing with health concerns during
adolescence; and
2. promote and practice health habits during adolescence.

Hook 2
Activity
List down all the changes that you have experienced in your body from your
elementary years up to this moment. The first item is given as an example.

The Changes I have noticed/ experienced in my body…

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 Ignite 15
Changes in the Health Dimensions during Adolescence

You learned from the previous lesson that adolescence begins with puberty.
It is the period of physical and sexual development among adolescents. The
secondary sex characteristics such as breast development for girls and
muscular development for boys takes place during puberty.

At this period of life, boys and girls will experience quick and sudden
growth called growth spurt. They will go through a lot of changes in each
dimension of health. These changes are challenges that each adolescent will
be facing because these may bring problems if not properly dealt with.

Adolescents will experience rapid change in physical aspects.

Some of the changes happen to both girls and boys such as:

Physical Changes:

✔ acne development
✔ pubic and underarm hair growth
✔ height increase
✔ more active sweat and oil glands that may change body odor
✔ maturity in reproductive system
✔ muscles develop and become stronger
✔ growth of permanent teeth
✔ weight increase

Although these changes happen to every adolescent, some may experience

these earlier or later than others.

Other changes that the girls go through during this period are:

✔ breast development
✔ first menstrual cycle starts (menarche) – usually occurs after 2 years
of early breast development and pubic hair appearance
✔ more defined hips and waist

On the other hand, notable changes that the boys go through during this
period include the following:

✔ some develop small and temporary breast tissue;

✔ vocal cords get thicker and longer, voice deepens.

The process of maturity development in both girls and boys may be affected
by some factors such as heredity, diet, health habits and health status. To
prevent negative consequences from happening, adolescents should deal with
the changes properly.

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Mental Changes

As adolescents mature, their cognitive skills develop. They can already think
critically and solve more complex problems than they were younger. They
can already understand others’ point of view and at times, question what
others say. They try to find out what to believe and what to doubt. They
become open-minded individuals and deal with problems in a positive
manner.

Emotional Changes

During this stage of life, some adolescents feel more sensitive about many
things including what others will say about them and that in some cases, it
will make them feel awkward. They learn to express and manage their
feelings and emotions in various situations appropriately.

As an adolescent, you may experience mood swings or intense emotions.

This mood swing might be misunderstood by other people. Engaging
yourself in worthwhile physical and social activities will help you feel better
and cope with the changes you are experiencing.

Social Changes

Adolescents begin to idolize celebrities and other influential people and tend
to prefer their idol’s preferences. They begin to interact with the community
and enjoy being with friends, especially those who share the same interests
with them. They begin to become conscious of their appearance including
the clothes and accessories they wear.

Spiritual Changes

Adolescents begin to analyze their values at this period. They tend to look
for the meaning of life and its purpose. Others may begin to change their
views in life as they look deeper for its meaning. They try to find out and
accept their strengths and weaknesses. They can already distinguish
between rules that are negotiable and non-negotiable. They begin to
become reflective of their words and action. They base their ideas and
actions from their beliefs which can affect or influence the decisions they
make.
 Activity 10
Navigate
Know Your Body Changes

List five physical changes that you have noticed in your body and explain
why these changes happened

Changes in your body Why do these changes happen

Activity

Write down the challenges you experienced/ observed in each dimensions of

health as you undergo these changes

Dimensions of Health Challenges you How do you cope

experienced/ with these changes?
observed?

There are many changes that the adolescents like you will go through in each 2
Knot dimension of health. The girls’ physical changes usually occur earlier than
the boys. Some physical changes occur in both girls and boys such as: acne
development; pubic and underarm hair growth; height increase; more active
sweat and oil glands that may change body odor; maturity in reproductive
 system; mood changes may occur; muscles develops and become stronger;
growth of permanent teeth and weight increase.

As adolescents, you can think critically and become smarter as you can
already solve more complex problems than before. You become more
sensitive about a lot of things and will experience mood swings. You begin
to interact with other people especially with your friends, more often than
before. At times, you begin to prefer your idol’s preferences. As you try to
find the meaning and purpose of your life, you begin to reflect with your
words and deeds including your strengths and weaknesses.

Always remember that every person is different and may undergo through
the changes differently, at his/her own pace. This process of maturity in both
girls and boys may be affected by some factors such as heredity, diet, health
habits and health status. You must understand the changes that are taking
place in you at this period so that you can deal with them properly and
prevent negative consequences from happening.

References:

1. Gonzales, C. Lacia G. Poquiz, M.L. Bulanandi S. Callo, Lualhati F. (2015). MAPEH in

Action 1 Rex Bookstore Inc.
2. THINK icons by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
3. Grade 7 Health Module, Department of Education Learning Resource Portal
https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/k_to_12
4. Glencoe Health (2005). Growth and Development. Retrieved from
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cBc7XGCO4kecwh5ceOMnxDYCdXKpqEBn/view

Prepared by: Maricel A. Albores Reviewed by: Myla A. Argente

Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) II Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) III
Campus: PSHS - Central Visayas Campus Campus: PSHS - CALABARZON