Puberty is an often-confusing stage in a teenager’s life. It brings all sorts of changes, including changes to the body, emotions, and behavior. These changes are normal, but they can cause problems in some teens. So how exactly does puberty affect a young person? And when does puberty end? Here are some of the most important things to know about puberty.
What is Puberty?
Puberty is that stage of life when a child becomes sexually mature. During this time, children will experience a lot of changes in their body. For girls, the consensus is that puberty starts at the age of eleven. However, it can also start at the age of six or seven.
Boys hit the puberty stage at around the age of twelve, although they can reach puberty at the age of nine. The process of puberty takes a few years. In girls, puberty ends by the age of fourteen, while in boys, it lasts till the age of fifteen or sixteen.
What are the Signs of Puberty?
When your child enters the stage of puberty, they will experience a lot of bodily changes, such as:
For Girls:
- Her breasts will start developing
- Hair will appear in her armpits, pubic area, and legs
- She will have her first menstrual period
- She could develop acne
For Boys:
- The size of his penis and testicles will increase
- Hair will appear on the face, in the armpits, and in the public area
- Breast tissue will develop
- The voice will deepen
- The muscles will strengthen
- Boys could develop acne as well
This crucial information will help you better understand puberty:
Signs of Puberty Might Take Time to Appear
Signs of puberty might not appear at the same time. For instance, in some girls, breast development might start at a young age, but other signs of puberty will appear later on. Conversely, some girls and boys have hair in their armpits long before showing other signs of puberty.
Try to stay in touch with your child, and ask if they have experienced any of the signs listed above. A doctor can also help you out and determine whether your child has entered puberty or not. Doctors might at times track the puberty patterns of children.
Your Child Will be Hungrier during Puberty
It is not unusual for children to feel hungry during the stage of puberty. For parents, it is important to establish a proper meal plan for their children. During puberty, some children might restrict eating or go on a diet. Ensure that your child eats as much healthy food as possible.
There will be Changes in the Brain
The brain of the child during puberty will go through a process of rewiring. Usually, this process kicks off at the age of 10 and doesn’t stop before 25. So not only will puberty drive changes in your body, but it will also allow certain social-emotional and cognitive changes to take place.
During this critical period, ensure that a positive environment surrounds your child. As a parent, it is your responsibility to understand that your child’s brain is going through changes, so help them develop efficient coping techniques.
Your Child Will Grow A Lot
Puberty will accelerate your child’s growth because there is a hormonal change going on in the body. Hormonal changes cause children to gain fat and muscle. However, boys and girls experience different types of changes.
When puberty starts, girls will gain fat, which is necessary to start their menstrual cycle. In the start, girls might gain a layer of fat, which will give their belly a round appearance. Fat might also appear around the hip, breasts, and thighs.
The height and weight of girls also increases during puberty, usually around the age of twelve. These bodily changes may sometimes feel out of proportion, but parents need to be patients and wait for puberty to end.
Let’s talk about boys now; they gain more muscle during puberty and lose a lot of body fat. However, their peak growth is later than girls, around the age of fourteen, while girls usually peak at twelve.
Boys usually stop growing after the age of eighteen or nineteen. By the end of their teen years, boys are usually taller and have less body fat than girls.
The Sleep Cycle Changes during Puberty
During puberty, children usually experience changes in their sleep cycle. Around the age of 12, there are changes in melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain. These changes decrease the pressure to sleep until later at night.
During these sleep cycle changes, children usually sleep late and wake up late. However, there is a problem, as most schools start early in the morning, so your child might experience a lack of sleep. There is also the stress of activities, homework, friends, and phones, so you need to help your child get quality sleep.
The need for Nutrition Increases during Puberty
When your body is going through so many physical and cognitive changes, the need for nutrition increases. Children experiencing puberty will need to increase their intake of Calcium, Vitamin D, and healthy fats. Girls will need to increase their intake of iron before their periods can start.
Some sources of Vitamin D are:
- Egg Yolks
- Cheese
- Fatty Fish (Tuna)
- Soy Milk
- Orange Juice
- Cereals
Some sources of Calcium:
- Spinach
- Okra
- Soybeans
- Collard
- White Beans
- Fish (Salmon, Sardines, Perch and Rainbow trout)
- White Beans
- Calcium Fortified Foods (Orange juice, cereal, and oatmeal)
Some sources of Healthy Fat are:
- Fatty Fish (Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna, Trout, Sardines, and Herring)
- Walnuts
- Flaxseed
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Safflower Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Tofu
- Soy Milk
Conclusion
Going through puberty is tough for children, as the body is going through several changes, and there are mood swings. The role of parents is important during this crucial stage. This article will help parents understand what they need to do to help their children out during puberty.
In this article, we have also discussed some important nutrients that children should consume when experiencing puberty. Parents need to remember that puberty can last for years, so there is no need to press the panic button if their child is experiencing bodily changes.
Originally posted 2021-11-17 21:00:54.