15 - 17 Years of Age

Physical Development

  • Most girls start their periods between 9 and 16 years of age. If they do start, they have developed breasts at this age and have experienced a growth spurt.
  • Additional pubertal signs: body odor, oily skin, acne, facial hair growth, hair growth under arms and on pubic area, body shape changes.
  • Individual differences affect timing of the start of puberty for each child.

Social and Emotional Development

  • Friends have a very strong influence at this age. Adolescents want to be accepted and liked.
  • Adolescents may start to care more about what other people think about them.
  • Adolescents desire to gain more independence from their parents. They may identify more with others their own age.
  • They feel self-conscious about their changing bodies and compare themselves to others.
  • Adolescents become more aware of their sexuality.

Mental Development

  • Adolescents begin to think more about the future.
  • They have a sense of invincibility – nothing bad can happen to them.

School Issues

  • Talk with your teen daily about his/her school day.
  • Discuss progress and school performance/concerns with teachers. Do not wait until things get out of control.
  • Know your teen’s friends.
  • Talk about bullying. Set clear expectations for your teen’s behavior.
  • Discuss the importance of telling someone if bullying is occurring at school or elsewhere.

 

KEEP YOUR ADOLESCENT SAFE

  • Teens are naturally curious about sex. Start early discussing accurate information about sex. Delaying sexual involvement could be the most important decision your adolescent can make.
  • Talk about the importance of not smoking, drinking or using drugs. Discuss peer influence. Your teen’s peers do impact their opinions on substance use.
  • Require ALL members of your family to use seatbelts, helmets and other protective gear.
  • Everyone in your family should always wear CPSC-approved helmets for bike rides.
  • Helmets and protective gear should be worn while riding a bike, scooter, skateboard or roller blades.
  • Seatbelts in the car are a must.
  • Monitor internet activity. Discuss the importance of NEVER giving out personal information.
  • Always supervise computer/internet use. Install parental control/monitoring programs.
  • Limit computer, video game, and TV use to less than two hours each day and encourage your teen to get at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every day.

 

KEEP YOUR ADOLESCENT HEALTHY

  • Visit your pediatrician for a well check every year.

Fever

  • Fever at this age is a normal response to illness. You may give acetaminophen to relieve any discomfort.
  • Please call our office for an appointment if your adolescent’s fever lasts more than 72 hours or there are symptoms that concern you.

Vaccines

  • Keep your adolescent vaccinated on the schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and your doctor. Splitting doses can be risky and is NEVER recommended by your doctor! Check with your insurance company before each well visit. Ask about deductibles, maximum benefits and if they pay for ANY PART of the cost of vaccines.
  • Vaccines were due at 11 years of age (tetanus, meningitis, HPV). A meningitis booster is due on or after 16 years of age. Children with chronic health conditions may have additional vaccine recommendations. Ask us at each visit if your teen is up-to-date with all of the latest recommendations.

Smoking

  • Do not smoke.
  • Consider stopping if you do smoke and set a good example for your teen.
  • Do not smoke in your house or in your car.
  • Do not allow others to smoke around your teen.

Hands

  • Encourage frequent handwashing.

Nutrition

  • Offer skim, ½% or 2% milk.
  • Teens require 1,300 mg per day of calcium (4 servings of milk or dairy).
  • Serve 3 regular meals each day.
  • Limit pop, sugared drinks and juices.
  • Focus on “healthy eating” not dieting.
  • Limit fast food meals. Encourage healthy choices, including fruits and vegetables.
  • If your teen wants to lose weight, urge him/her to increase physical activity and to take weight off slowly. Be aware of any diet or exercise program with which your child is involved. Be watchful of how much weight your child loses and make sure the diet program is healthy.
  • Watch for preoccupation with body image and be alert for eating disorders.
  • Keep mealtime pleasant and encourage good manners.

Dental Health

  • Encourage brushing with a soft toothbrush after each meal. Floss daily.
  • Have regular dental visits.

Sleep

  • Adolescents this age need about 8-9 ½ hours of sleep each night.

Skin Protection

  • Encourage your adolescent to limit his/her time in direct sunlight. Encourage the use of sunscreen (SPF 30) and to reapply frequently as needed.
  • If needed, insect repellents with a DEET concentration of 30 % or less may be used.

TIPS TO HELP YOU FACE THE CHALLENGES OF ADOLESCENCE

  • Spend time with your adolescent, including family time and one-on-one time.
  • When your adolescent talks, pay attention to what they are saying and try not to interrupt.
  • Respect your adolescent’s feelings.
  • Create a positive self-image by praising your child about his/her appearance and who they are as a person.
  • When rules are needed, set and enforce them. Adolescents see setting limits as a form of caring. Be a parent first, not a pal.

 

Adapted from Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents—Third Edition: Joseph F. Hagan, Jr. MD, FAAP; Judith S. Shaw, RN, MPH, EdD; and Paula Duncan, MD, FAAP