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. Tens 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 13, 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.