Test your knowledge of what it takes to be a healthy teen.
At what age does the adolescent growth spurt usually begin for girls?
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The growth spurt in girls typically occurs two years earlier than in boys, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Body parts may grow at different rates, and teens often appear clumsy and feel awkward during this period.
How much calcium per day does an adolescent need?
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Both boys and girls need a calcium-rich diet during their teen years to ensure they store up enough calcium in their bones, says the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
A physician should monitor adolescent growth and development.
What immunizations should teenagers have?
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The Tdap booster is recommended for teens at ages 11-12. Teens 13-18 who missed getting the Tdap booster at ages 11 to 12 should also receive it. Those who received a tetanusdiphtheria (Td) booster at 11-12 should receive Tdap for additional protection against pertussis as long as at least 5 years have elapsed since receiving the last tetanus containing vaccine, though a shorter interval may be used, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Teens should also get a "catch-up" immunization for measles, mumps and rubella, and chickenpox, if they missed a recommended dose in childhood.
Which eye problem typically gets worse during adolescence?
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Nearsightedness, or myopia, usually starts in childhood and then gets progressively worse during the teen years, according to experts at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. The progression usually eases up by the time a person reaches his or her mid-20s.
Anabolic steroids, though illegal, are still widely used by adolescent athletes to enhance athletic performance. Which of these groups is most likely to use them?
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Use of anabolic steroids has dropped among younger teens, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, but use among high school seniors has not. Nearly 3.5 percent of high school seniors say they have used anabolic steroids.
Which of these may be signs of alcohol or drug abuse?
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They may also be symptoms of illness. Check for drug paraphernalia and have your pediatrician examine the teenager to rule out other possible causes.