Physical Growth and Development

• Physical appearance of children begins to change, loses body shape, looks like a small adult
• Infants fast rate of growth begins to slow
• As children begin to develop, their balance becomes very good: run, jump climb, (by 6/7, ride a bike)

• Puberty prepares the body for sexual reproduction
• Triggered by action of hormones secreted from endocrine glands
• Boys and girls may experience a growth spurt

Female

• Gains weight
• Grows pubic hair
• Menstrual periods start
• Breasts enlarge
• Shape changes - increased fat - layers under the skin
• Skin and hair change

Male

• Gains weight
• Grows pubic and body hair
• Penis and testicles enlarge
• Voice "breaks" and deepens
• Shoulders broaden and muscle strength increases
• Skin and hair change

• Young adults are at peak of performance between 18 and 28
• Women are most fertile in late teens, early 20's
• Sperm production in men declines at around 40, although they can continue to father children in to their 80's

Menopause

• Reduction in sex hormones causes menstruation to cease
• Headaches and hot flushes
• Hair becomes thinner
• Teeth loosen and gums recede
• Breasts droop and flatten
• Risk of cardiovascular disease
• ******* become smaller and flatten
• Backaches
• Skin and mucous membranes become drier, skin develops a rougher texture
• Body and pubic hair becomes thicker and darker
• Abdomen loses some muscle tone
• Stress
• Vaginal dryness, itching and shrinking
• Bones lose mass and become more fragile

As people enter their 40's:

• Men start to lose hair
• Eyesight begins to deteriorate
• Skin loses elasticity so wrinkles appear
• Women continue to menstruate until about 45/50 years old. When they reach the menopause, the ability to reproduce ceases