Table of Contents
- Changes during Puberty
- Summary
- What’s Next?
In the previous segment of the chapter ‘Reaching the Age of Adolescence’, we learnt about
adolescence and puberty. In this segment, let us understand the changes during puberty.
What are the Changes seen in boys and girls during puberty?
Puberty brings about several changes in the person. The changes are physical, mental, emotional, and psychological. The physical changes are as follows:
- Increase in Height – Being kids, girls grow in height faster than the boys. However, on reaching adolescence, the height of boys increases rapidly. The main reason behind this is Bone Elongation. During adolescence, the long bones of arms and legs get elongated. The growth rate as well as the time required for growth will vary from person to person. The hormones that bring about the elongation of bones in our body and the nutrients are important during adolescence. The nutrient supply to the growing bones and muscles makes sure that all the parts grow appropriately.
- Change in Shape – Within the same age group of adolescence, boys have prominent growth in their muscles compared to girls. As they grow up, boys grow broader shoulders. Thus, they start appearing robust. Girls, as they grow up, experience widening of the region below their waist. They seem to gain weight and become fat compared to their childhood.
- Change in Voice – In adolescence, the voice of boys starts deepening. Their voice turns hoarse and low pitch due to the increase in the size of their voice box called Larynx. This enlarged voice box is seen as a protrusion in the throat region, when boys grow, and is commonly called the Adam’s Apple. The voice of girls doesn’t deepen as much. Thus, they develop a high pitch voice.
