Stage of Adolescence

1. THE MISSION

Imagine you are responsible for making important changes in a world where all adolescents are completely unaware of their age and the age related changes as a evil force has erased the age related of all humans in that world and forcing all the adolescents to indulge in labour and preventing them from going to school and being complete aware of adolescence and its various perspectives leading to disease and lack of opportunities in life leading to a lot of problems in their life. The gamer has to strategically design the solutions for this problem present in the world by extinguishing all the evil forces, helping all adolescents determine their ages as well as the importance of understanding puberty, its various stages and the changes that occur spreading awareness and bringing about a change. The gamer during the levels of the game gains points as well as honorary badges and special powers. The player gains 300 points on successful completion of the game and accolades.

2. CONCEPTS
   1. Adolescence

The period of life, when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity, is called adolescence. This is the time span in which the child develops into an adult.

• Adolescence begins around the age of 11 and goes on until 18 or 19 years of age.
• Adolescents are also called ‘teenagers’.
• The body at this stage undergoes important changes and these mark the period of puberty.

Puberty

Puberty is the period, during which, the human body undergoes certain changes in their body and reproductive organs which leads to sexual maturity.

• The most important change, which marks puberty is that boys and girls become capable of reproduction.
• In girls, puberty may begin a year or two earlier than in boys.

A Changing YOU!

Changes at Puberty

• An individual goes through different changes during the onset of puberty.
• It differs in males and females, also the extent of these changes is different in each person.
• Each individual goes through changes like increase in height, change in body shape, change in voice, development of sex organs, mental, intellectual and emotional maturity.

Secondary sexual characteristics

These are external, visible characteristics that develop in boys and girls after puberty, help to distinguish two sexes and are not directly involved in reproduction. Few of them are as follows.

Boys:

• The growth of facial hair.
• The growth of body hair including underarm, abdomen, chest hair and pubic hair.
• Chest and shoulders widen and body becomes muscular
• Skin becomes more rough and porous, secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands increase
• Larynx (Adam’s apple)/voice box protrudes out and voice becomes deep and husk.

Girls:

• Enlargement of breasts
• The growth of body hair, prominently in the underarm and pubic areas.
• Widening of hips
• Changed fat distribution. More fat below the skin, at hips, buttocks and thighs.
• Development of secondary reproductive organs.

1. Mental and Physical Changes at Puberty

Reproductive Health

• The physical and mental well being of an individual is regarded as an individual’s health.
• During adolescence, the reproductive organs develop and become functional.
• Reproductive health means proper growth and well being of the reproductive organs

Endocrine glands

An endocrine system is a group of ductless glands that regulate body processes and functioning of many systems by secreting chemical substances called hormones.

• They release their secretions directly into the bloodstream.
• The origin and site of action are usually distant for hormones.

Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine glands.

• They control body functioning, physiology and behaviour.

Pituitary gland

• The pituitary gland is situated in the brain and is called as a master endocrine gland.
• It produces hormones that instruct other glands to secrete their hormones.
• The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone which controls the overall growth of a person.
• Secretion of growth hormone is maximum in adolescence period.

Testosterone

• Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone.
• It is responsible for the development of the male reproductive organs, production of male gamete i.e. sperms and development of secondary sexual characteristics too.
• Testes start secreting testosterone only after puberty.

Oestrogen

• Estrogen/oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone.
• It is responsible for the development of the female reproductive organs, production of female gamete i.e. ova and development of secondary sexual characteristics and menstrual cycle.
• Ovaries secrete this hormone after puberty.

Thyroid gland

• It is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in the throat.
• It secretes a hormone called thyroxin.
• This hormone is important as it maintains the balance of all metabolic activities.
• The deficiency of this hormone can cause swelling of the thyroid gland, leading to goitre.

Pancreas

• The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin, which regulates the blood sugar level in the body.
• Deficiency of insulin leads to diabetes.

Adrenal glands

• The adrenal glands are situated right above the kidneys.
• They change their shape throughout life and shrink as a person grows older.
• They secrete a hormone adrenaline and also maintain the salt and pH balance.
• Hormone adrenaline is also called ‘fight or flight’ hormone as it functions in emergency situations

1. Menstrual Cycle

• It is a reproductive cycle of females.
• It begins at puberty and the onset of the menstrual cycle is called ‘menarche’.
• The process includes cyclic changes in the ovaries and in the uterus, both simultaneously.
• In the ovaries, an ovum develops and matures and then releases.
• In the uterus, a thick spongy inner lining develops anticipating pregnancy.
• If the egg is fertilized, pregnancy occurs.
• If fertilisation does not occur, the released egg and the thickened lining of the uterus along with its blood vessels are shed off.
• This causes bleeding in women which is called menstruation.
• The menstrual cycle stops in women anywhere between 45 to 52 years.
• Stopping the menstrual cycle is called ‘menopause‘.
• The years between menarche and menopause marks the reproductive age of a woman where she is able to bear a child

1. No Crash Dieting

Personal Hygiene

• Personal hygiene is very important, especially during teenage years.
• Increased activity of sweat glands sometimes makes the body smelly.
• It also leads to acne.
• All parts of the body should be washed and cleaned every day.
• If cleanliness is not maintained there are chances of catching bacterial and fungal infections.

Balanced Diet:

• Adolescence also equates to a sudden spurt in growth of the body.
• A growing body requires all the nutrients.
• Therefore, all the teenagers should consume a balanced diet and not junk food.
• A balanced diet is a meal that includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins in proper proportions.
• Junk food affects the growth of an individual.

Physical Exercise:

• Exercise ensures a healthy body and mind.
• Walking, playing or practising yoga are some of the many ways we can carry out physical exercise