What to Expect During This Visit
Your doctor and/or nurse will probably:

1. Check your teen's weight and height, calculate body mass index (BMI), and plot the measurements on growth charts.
2. Check your teen's blood pressure and possibly hearing.
3. Give a screening test to check for signs of depression.
4. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about your teen's:
Eating. Teens should begin making healthy food choices on their own. Explain that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and avoiding sweet, salty, and fatty foods not only is better nutritionally but will support a healthy weight. Calcium and iron are important for the growth spurts of adolescence. Aim for three daily servings of low-fat dairy products (or dairy alternatives) to provide 1,300 milligrams of calcium. Include enough lean meats, poultry, and seafood in the diet to reach 8 milligrams of iron per day.
Sleeping. Teens need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep is common and can hurt grades and athletic performance. Biological changes make teens want to stay up later, but early school start times can make it hard for them to get enough sleep. Encourage your child to follow a relaxing bedtime routine, and keep TVs and all digital devices out of your teen's bedroom.
Physical activity. Aim for 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Set daily limits on screen time, including TV, DVDs, video games, smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Growth and development. By age 14, it's common for teens to:
- show signs of puberty:
- In boys, testicular enlargement is the first sign of puberty, followed by penile lengthening and the growth of pubic hair.
- In girls, breasts development and pubic hair grows. About 2 years later, the first menstrual period comes.
- have oily skin and/or acne
- not always connect their actions with future consequences
- want to be independent and fit in with peers
- focus on personal appearance and behavior
- want to engage in risky behaviors
5. Do a physical exam. This will include looking at the skin, listening to the heart and lungs, checking the back for any curvature of the spine, and looking for puberty development. A parent, caregiver, or chaperone should be present during this part of the exam, but siblings should remain outside in the waiting room to give your teen privacy.
6. Update immunizations. Immunizations can protect people from serious illnesses, so it's important that your teen get them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office, so talk to your doctor about what to expect.
7. Order tests. Your doctor may check your teen's risk for anemia, high cholesterol, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and order tests, if needed.