Adolescence: neurodevelopmental changes
Important neuronal developments are also taking place during the adolescent years. These developments are linked to hormonal changes but are not always dependent on them.21 Developments are taking place in regions of the brain, such as the limbic system, that are responsible for pleasure seeking and reward processing, emotional responses and sleep regulation. At the same time, changes are taking place in the pre-frontal cortex, the area responsible for what are called executive functions: decision-making, organization, impulse control and planning for the future. The changes in the pre-frontal cortex occur later in adolescence than the limbic system changes.22 23
Diagram of neural
This is not to suggest that young adolescents are incapable of decision-making or planning for their futures. In fact, some of the changes in social and emotional processing that take place during adolescence may increase adolescents’ ability to adjust to changing social contexts.24
However, neurodevelopment does have implications for the exploration and experimentation that takes place during adolescence, because biological maturity precedes psychosocial maturity and, to some extent, there is disconnect between adolescents’ physical capacities, their sensation seeking and their capacity for self-control.25 This disconnect underlies some of the risk-behaviours and subsequent health problems outlined in Sections 3 and 4 of this report. Of course, most adolescents are able to explore and experiment in ways that contribute to their development and do not take up behaviours that undermine their health.
We now know that the adolescent brain has significant neural plasticity, that is, it is still able to change. This means that there is the potential in adolescence to ameliorate the impact of negative experiences earlier in life, for example, child abuse, and to promote positive developments that will enhance intellectual ability and emotional functioning.
The proper functioning of one person is crucial for the society because our problems affect our behaviour, which will sooner or later affect the whole society.
trans, 12-14, Argentina
Health is life. Being in good health allows you to really throw yourself into life.
female, 15-17, France
Health is relative, based on the way you observe it. You can have a healthy body but an aching soul. I think it sums up to a balance of forces that make your body and mind work together to be able to experience freedom and with that, to create goals.
male, 15-17, Mexico
Adolescents on the meaning of health: To have the ability to do things well, without any sort of discomfort or pain. To ensure a comfortable future, without any complications like diabetes or any sort of cardiac disease, etc., caused by what was done in the past.
Gender not specified, 18–19, Mexico
Your health is not only your future but also the future of those around you. If I were to die at a young age, I would be unable to contribute to the economy or the population. An individual contracting a disease increases the risk of other individuals within that community contracting it. Therefore, it is important to keep healthy to ensure my safety and the safety of others.
female, 15-17, Saudi Arabia
It is important because I want to live a long life, and I don't want to be restricted by any illness that would be the result of being unhealthy. I want to be a role model to children that I may have because I know how important it is to have someone that you can look up to and to motivate you to be healthy and to exercise.
female, 15-17, United Kingdom
Health is important to me because being in a state of complete health means being able to function at my full potential, and hence being able to perform at my best and contribute as much as I can to the activities I am involved in.
female, 15-17, Switzerland
If you feel well, you produce, you contribute, you are happy and you create a positive social environment.
female, 18-19, Mexico
Health is the basis for everything. If you want to study or work, you need to be in good physical and mental health.
female, 15-17, South Africa
