Week 3 Flashcards
biological and environmental foundations, physical development
Examples of dominant-recessive disorders
- huntington’s
- cystic fibrosis
- phenylketonuria (PKU)
- sickle cell anemia
inheritance wherein phenotype reflects only the dominant allele of a heterozygous pair
Maternal characteristics and behaviors
- nutrition
- maternal illness
- emotional well-being
- age
- prenatal care: set of services designed to improve quality of pregnancy and reduce birth complications
high levels of chronic stress (e.g. trauma, racism, domestic violence, living in poverty) affect offspring
Kangaroo care
- skin-to-skin contact between infant and caregiver
- promotes growth in LBW babies (so they can leave NICU), better sleep, less crying, etc.
Breastfeeding
- recommended that infants be exclusively breastfed for 6 mos to 1 year
- associated with health benefits in both mothers and infants
- increasing prevalence rate in the U.S. but also linked with length of maternity leave
e.g. many women unable afford 12-week unpaid maternity leave
Health benefits of breastfeeding in mothers
- lower rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, arthritis, cancer
- postpartum weight loss
- facilitates uterus shrinking
Health benefits of breastfeeding in infants
- contains immunizing agents that protect against infections
- lower rates of allergies and gastrointestinal symptoms
- lower risk of childhood obesity and cancer
- promotes bonding and attachment
Puberty
- biological transition into adulthood
- adolescents physically mature and become capable of reproduction
happens earlier in girls!
Biological influence on pubertal timing
genetics
* similar to that of our parents
* identical twins experience menarche more closely in time than fraternal twins
heredity sets the boundaries of pubertal timing (earliest and latest age)
Weight and nutrition
contextual influences on pubertal timing
- fast food consumption typically increases over adolescence = higher rates of obesity
- girls with greater BMI mature earlier while girls with lower % body fat often experience menarche later
Stress
contextual influences on pubertal timing
associated with early onset of menarche
* early life stress and severe stress (e.g. sexual abuse, maltreatment)
* poor family relationships and low SES (in NA and EU)
* raised by single mothers (in US, Canada, NZ)
* absence of biological father and presence of biologically-unrelated male
Early vs late puberty in girls and boys
i.e. off-timed puberty
- early: before 8 (girls) and 9 (boys)
- late: after 13 (girls) and 14 (boys
early maturation is linked with more problems than late maturation, which are influenced by contextual factors
Risks of early maturation in girls
- feel less positive about body, physical appearance, menstruation
- higher rates of depression, anxiety, low-self esteem, problematic behavior
- peer exclusion and bullying
- tend to date earlier = higher risk of dating violence, sexual harrasment
Risks of early maturation in boys
- typically athletic, popular with peers, confident
- depression, antisocial and aggressive behavior
- higher rates of problematic drinking
