2.5 Health Promotion of School Agers and Adolescents

Question 1

School Aged (6-12 years old)

Question 2

Biological Development

Answer 2

• Height increases 2 inches per year
• Weight increases 2-3 kg a year
• Males/Females differ little in size
• Females mature faster than boys (faster growth in weight and height)

Question 3

Prepubescent (Preadolescents)

Answer 3

• 2 years preceding puberty
• Varies between age 9-12 (occurs 2 years earlier in girls)

PUBERTY
- Average age for men is 12
- Average age for women is 10

Question 4

Psychosocial Development (Erikson)

Answer 4

Stage - Industry vs Inferiority
- Sense of accomplishment (industry) such as finding new knowledge, skills, self-worth, pride versus inferiority where they do not feel like they are doing as well as others which lowers self-esteem.

• Eager to develop skills and acquire sense of personal competence.
• Growing sense of independence
• Peer approval is a strong motivator
• Important to let this age group know that it is okay for someone else to be better at certain skills to help them overcome sense of inferiority

Question 5

Cognitive Development (Piaget)

Answer 5

Phase - Concrete Operations
- Use thought processes to experience events and actions
- Develop understanding between things and ideas
- Progress from making judgements based on what they see, and now make decisions based off their reasoning skills and knowledge they have gained.

• Like routines, schedules, what to expect to help them feel secure.
• They like concrete and know what is going on

Question 6

Social Development

Answer 6

• IMPORTANCE OF PEER GROUPS
• Kids will find a best friend and same sex friendships are much more prominent
• Peers have strong influence in gaining independence from parents
• Cooperative play (individuals play together with very defined set of rules and expectations)
• They like structure and rules because they become more competitive

Question 7

Relationship with Family

Answer 7

• Parents are primary influence in shaping a child’s behavior, values, personality
• Primary goal for school-aged is gaining independence from parents
• They still need parental control but are more independent.

Question 8

Developing Self-Concept

Answer 8

• Conscious awareness of different self perceptions (what are my abilities, values, appearances) how do I view myself? What is my self esteem?
• Parents must help children shape a positive self concept by re-enforcing positive behaviors, teach self-respect, self-confidence, happiness.

Question 9

Body Image

Answer 9

• Generally children like their physical selves less as they age
• They become more aware of differences between themselves and others, and societal norms which may influence feelings of inferiority.
• Body image is influenced by significant others.

Question 10

Health Promotion

Answer 10

NUTRITION
- Kids are more willing to have a wider array of foods in diet (less picky)
- Educate proper food choices

SLEEP
- 9 1/2 hours of sleep a night
- Resistant to bed-time until the end of school-aged children.

EXERCISE
- Children start to engage in sports and competition

DENTAL HEALTH
- Primary teeth are in so it is important to educate on how to prevent cavities, how to brush teeth, and how to protect their teeth.

Question 11

Injury Prevention

Answer 11

• Most common cause of injury/death is motor vehicle accidents.
  (Wear seatbelts, sit in back seat)
• Typically will be in booster seat until 80 pounds.
• How to wear a helmet
• Importance of sports safety

Question 12

Adolescents (13 - 18/20 years old)

Answer 12

• Transition between childhood and adulthood
• Rapid physical/cognitive/social/emotional maturation

Question 13

Terms

Answer 13

Prepubescent - 2 years before puberty
Puberty - Sexual maturity is achieved
Postpubescent - 1-2 years after puberty (skeletal growth is complete and reproductive functions become established)
Adolescent - Time of growing into psychological, social, physical maturation

Question 14

Biological Development

Answer 14

Primary Sex Characteristics
- Internal/External Organs Necessary for Reproduction
(Ovaries, Uterus, Penis)

Secondary Sex Characteristics
- Physiologic changes that occur due to hormones
(Voice change, hair growth, breast enlargement, fat deposits)

Question 15

Sexual Maturation

Answer 15

• Tanner Stages of Sexual Maturity
  (Stages of development of secondary sex characteristics and genital development)
  (Guide to estimate sexual maturation)

DO NOT NEED TO MEMORIZE

Question 16

Physical Growth

Answer 16

• Dramatic increase in growth that accompanies sexual maturation

GROWTH SPURT
- 20-25% of total height is achieved during puberty (2-3 year timeframe)

• Increase in both height and weight

Question 17

Psychosocial Development (Erikson)

Answer 17

Stage - Identity vs Role Confusion

• Adolescents are seeking their own identity and independence. Develop sense of self. Discover who they are and how they are different from other people.
• If adolescents struggle with achieving identity or don’t have a strong peer group then they can get role confusion where they are unable to establish a meaningful definition of self.
• Sex role identity
• More Intune with their emotions

Question 18

Cognitive Development (Piaget)

Answer 18

Stage - Formal Operations Period

Formal (Abstract) Thinking
- They can consider alternatives, different outcomes, think about different factors that can influence a decision, think in the future, think beyond present circumstance.

• Concerned with others thoughts and needs

Question 19

Social Development

Answer 19

• Goal is to define their own identity and independent from parental authority.
• They may have ambivalence (mixed feelings) and they may struggle
• Intense periods of sociability (want to be with peers all the time)
• Intense periods of loneliness (want to be alone when they don’t feel connected with others)
• ACCEPTANCE OF PEERS IS VERY IMPORTANT

Question 20

Relationship with Parents

Answer 20

• Teenagers want to be viewed as independent and equal. (Adult)
• Role changes from “protection” to “mutual affection and equality”
• Struggles of privilege and responsibility
• Teenagers try to get out of parental control

Question 21

Relationship with Peers

Answer 21

• Essential to have a best friend
• Belonging and feeling of strength and power
• Peers help transition between dependence and autonomy

Question 22

Self-Concept and Body Image

Answer 22

• Feelings of confusion in early adolescents (about puberty and changes that are happening. They maybe embarrassed)
• Acute awareness of appearance in comparison with others.
• Blemishes and defects are magnified out of proportion (acne, birth marks)
• Important to address body image issues they may have

Question 23

Promoting Optimum Health Promotions

Answer 23

• Stress Reduction
  Due to transitioning to high-school, puberty, and gaining identity or being an adult.
  Build trusting relationship with teenagers so they can feel comfortable talking about their stress
• Sexual Education/Guidance
  How to prevent STDs, how to explore sexual role in a safe way.

Question 24

Injury Prevention

Answer 24

• Biggest issue is motor vehicle accidents (they are starting to drive)
• Education on seat belts, don’t drive under the influence, don’t text and drive
• Sports Injuries
• Water Safety (jet ski’s, boats)
• Tobacco/Alcohol education
• Firearm education
• This age group is very independent and think they are invincible so it is important to provide this education.

Question 25

Anticipatory Guidance

Answer 25

• We need to guide parents about changes teenagers go through
• Provide support about how their teenager is going to want to be more independent and how to support their child through this.