Environmental Influences on Physical Development in Adolescence

Between the release of the Human Genome Project, an increase in genetic testing for disease and predictions about the promise of gene therapy, it's easy to overestimate the importance genetics play in health. Normal development, however, is heavily influenced by environmental factors such as diet, pollution and stress. Because teens' brains and bodies are growing rapidly, their physical development is strongly impacted by environmental influences.

Vitamins and Minerals

• Teens need basic vitamins and minerals in order to develop normally. Because teens tend to survive on fast food and soda, a multivitamin is a good idea. Calcium, in particular, is especially important for teenagers because their rapid bone growth can lead to calcium deficiencies. Moreover, adequate calcium intake prior to the age of 25 dramatically decreases the likelihood of a teenager developing osteoporosis and other bone maladies in midlife.

Nutrition

• Nutrition heavily impacts a teenager's physical development. Teenage girls who are underweight may have a delayed onset of menstruation. This can affect long-term fertility. Children of both sexes need adequate caloric intake to avoid stunted growth and muscular problems. Nutrition can also affect brain development. If your teen complains of being tired or depressed, evaluate his diet. You may find that he's missing out on vital nutrients.

Smoking and Alcohol

• Smoking and drinking alcohol can both affect a teen's development. Teens who smoke may experience stunted growth or muscular weakness. Teens who begin drinking alcohol at a young age are more likely to develop a physical dependence on alcohol as adults. Their brain development may also be stunted.

Environmental Toxins

• Numerous genes affect the onset of puberty and control physical growth and development. When these genes mutate, growth may not unfold in a normal fashion. Environmental toxins, including pollution, exposure to CFC's from aerosol cans and heavy exposure to some kinds of plastics can all cause genetic mutations that hamper physical development.

Stress

• Stress is the biggest threat to the physical development of most teenagers. It causes the release of the hormone cortisol. When the body is constantly releasing cortisol, growth and brain development may be impeded. Stress also increases blood pressure, slows metabolism and may even lead to genetic mutations. When a person is chronically stressed, vital physical functions are slowed, which can lead to stunted growth, trouble with memory, chronic illness, aggression and a host of other maladies.