7

HEALTH
FIRST QUARTER MODULE
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
What I Need to know

Way back as a child, did you remember of thinking so much about your health? I bet you didn’t! I
know the adults around you looked after you. You look at the younger children around you; new-borns
are immunized, while others are scheduled for check-ups and other health practices. Who are with
them? The adults, right?

As an adolescent, your personal health now becomes your responsibility. Every day you make health
decisions, so it is very important that you know correct health information. Therefore, it is your
responsibility to use health information wisely to guide your day- to-day activities.

After reading this module, you should be able to:

1. Explain the dimensions of holistic health (physical, mental/intellectual, emotional, social, and moral-
spiritual);

2. Analyze the interplay among the health dimensions in developing holistic health.

In going through the module, you have to extend your patience in understanding, analyzing what
you are reading. Follow the directions and/or instructions in the activities. Answer the entire given test
and exercises carefully. Comply the required activities provided
LESSON 1 HOLISTIC HEALTH

LET'S MOVE AHEAD

You often hear the saying "Health is wealth." This is very true. Good health is itself a treasure.
Being materially rich will not do much good if you are not healthy. That is, If you are not healthy, you
will be using much of your time and money caring for yourself instead of working and contributing to
society. However, good health can have different meanings to different people. You may have several
ideas about being healthy. The images in the previous page provide a big picture of health. Getting
along well with others, feeling good about yourself, and being physically active all contribute to
holistic health. Holistic health is the combination of physical, mental/intellectual, emotional, social, and
moral/spiritual health. There should be harmony and balance in all these health aspects. This approach
shows that total health is not just the absence of sickness; it is also the well-being of the mind and
spirit. This means that you actually make daily decisions that
shape your health. In the long run, you will be the one to take charge of your total health. It is important
to pay attention to all dimensions of holistic health to attain a healthy you.

Dimensions of Holistic Health

Before you can say that you are in good health or you possess holistic health, you must first
understand the different dimensions of holistic health. These dimensions arephysical health, mental
health, emotional health, social health, and moral health.

Physical Health

Physical health is the dimension of holistic health that refers to how well the human body
functions. If you are in a good state of physical health, you have enough energy to perform daily
activities and deal with everyday stresses. For example, bygetting adequate sleep and eating nutritious
meals, you can cope with your daily activities much better than others. You can concentrate better in
exams and get higher grades. You want to know the secret? Here are some tips you can use to attain
physical health:
1. Eat nutritious meals and drink eight glasses of water
2. Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
3. Sleep for eight hours every night.
4. Take a bath daily, and do not forget to brush your teeth after every meal.
5. Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.

Mental Health

Mental health is the dimension of holistic health that deals with your thoughts and matters of the
mind. It is the state of being comfortable with yourself, with others, and with your surroundings. A
person who is mentally healthy has an alert mind, can learn from mistakes, and can recognize
achievements. Mental health deals with how you meet the demands of everyday life and how you cope
with the problems that come with it. People who are mentally healthy enjoy challenges that help them
grow. They accept responsibility for their actions. They have a sense of control over their lives. They
also make thoughtful and responsible decisions.

Emotional Health

When you talk about emotional health, you refer to your feelings. Emotional health is the dimension of
holistic health that refers to how you react to events that occur in your life. It is a reflection of how you
feel about yourself. It also includes coping with problems that you encounter in your life. Emotionally
healthy individuals can express their emotions in appropriate ways. They can deal with the stresses and
challenges of life. They have a positive outlook and are optimistic in managing problems. For example,
a person who0 is emotionally healthy will take a low score in a quiz in a constructive way Instead of
crying and giving up, he/she would study well for the next quiz so as not to get a low score again.
Social Health Social health is the dimension of holistic health that refers to how well you get along
with other people. This dimension is as important as physical, mental, and emotional health in
achieving holistic health. Your social network or social circle refers to the people you frequently deal
with and includes your family, friends, teachers, and community members. You need not have many
friends to achieve good social health. At times, just having a few people whom you can trust and share
your thoughts and feelings with is sufficient. Here are some ways that you can maintain healthy
relationships:
1. asking and lending support in times of need;
2. communicating effectively with others; and
3. showing respect and care for yourself and everyone.

Moral Health

This area of health involves your peace of mind. Moral health is the dimension of holistic health
that refers to your inner sense of meaning and purpose in life. Being morally healthy can mean being a
member of a spiritual community. This community does not have to be a religious group. Moral health
determines your sense of purpose as well as your moral values. For example, when you do something
good for a friend, you show good moral values. Doing acts of kindness can make you feel that your lite
has meaning.

Holistic Health and a Balanced Person

When the dimensions of holistic health are in balance, you attain a high degree of wellness.
Wellness is an overall state of health that represents the perfect or ideal health. When all the
dimensions of your holistic health are taken care of, you achieve wellness. His makes you a balanced
person. Wellness includes making well-informed decisions and practicing healthful behaviors.

Consider this case: a person has a lot of friends and spends much time with them. However, he
does not get enough sleep. His social health is fine but his physical, mental, and emotional health may
be suffering
When you ignore any dimension of your health, your wellness is affected. It is there are important to
maintain balance; that is, to give equal attention to all aspects of your health.

LET'S SUM UP

 Holistic health is the interplay of physical, mental, emotional, social, and moral health.
 Physical health is the dimension of holistic health that refers to how well the human body
functions.
 Mental health is the dimension of holistic health that deals with your thoughts and matters of the
mind. It is the state of being comfortable with yourself, with others, and with your surroundings.
 Social health is the dimension of holistic health that refers to how well you get along with other
people.
 Moral health is the dimension of holistic health that refers to your inner sense of meaning and
purpose in life.
 When all the dimensions of holistic health are taken care of, a person can attain wellness.

ACTIVITY 1

LET'S CHECK

Answer the following questions.

1. What is holistic health to you?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Explain the following dimensions of holistic health in your own words.

a. physical health -_____________________________________________________

b. mental health -_______________________________________________________
c. emotional health--__________________________________________________
d. social health -_______________________________________________________
e. moral health-_______________________________________________________
3. How do the dimensions of holistic health lead to wellness?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Give a situation in your life wherein you encountered challenges in achieving holistic health. How
did you manage the challenges?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
LESSON 2: HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

You are now entering the stage of adolescence. Adolescence is the period between childhood
and adulthood. It is a time of transformation and numerous challenges. During this stage, physical
growth is one of the prominent changes. Children grow fast, and their bodies change. During
adolescence, you’re mental, emotional, and social life also undergoes transformation. These changes
are normal.

The start of adolescence is marked by the onset of puberty, the time when a person begins to
develop certain traits of adults of his/her gender. Puberty refers to the period during which changes
occur to the reproductive system. It is the time when a person becomes capable of reproduction.
Puberty varies from person to person but usually begins between the ages of 12 and 18. The pace of
growth and development may be unique for each one, but the pattern of change is similar for all. There
is a variety of body sizes and shapes among adolescents. The varying growth rates experienced by
children of this age mean that there is no exact timetable for the changes. Some develop adult physical
characteristics earlier than others, just keep in mind that even though each adolescent is unique, he/she
will experience the same pattern or changes that are normal for all.

Stages of Growth and Development

Before focusing on adolescence, let us first have a general overview of grow and accompanied
by certain developmental milestones. These are events that need to happen, and development from
infancy to old age. Each stage of growth and development happen for a person to continue to grow into
a mature adult. Many transitions or critical change Occur at all stages of life.

Infancy

During the first two years of life, or the stage of infancy, a child displays tremendous growth.
Increased physical coordination and mental development are observed in this stage. In general, infants
double their birth weight by five months and triple their weight by year one. By two years of age,
infants weigh four times their birth weight. By this time, infants can control their limbs, roll over,
crawl, sit, and walk. By the end of infancy, the first words are usually uttered. During infancy, a child
can open and close his/her hands, imitate new word sounds, and walk a few steps. Infants also form a
strong attachment to parents; begin to smile, and long for companionship. They enjoy the company of
other children and may show strong likes and dislikes to people and things.

Childhood

Childhood is the stage of growth and development between infancy and adolescence. Childhood
years are a period of relatively steady physical growth. During this stage children develop the ability to
reason and solve problems.
 Early childhood ranges from ages 1 to 3. At this stage, children walk well, pick up objects
without losing balance, draw pictures that are recognizable, and may wish to help other adults. They
begin to desire approval and may be bothered by fears. They often take part in group activities.

Middle childhood is from ages 4 to 6. Children in middle childhood can dress and undress
themselves. They use utensils to eat food and are more independent. They are eager to explore the
world and love hearing words of praise and approval. Self-confidence and formation of friendships
begin. These children become more talkative and outgoing and they may want to do things their way
but respect other people's belongings.

Late childhood is from 7 to 12 years of age. During this stage, school becomes a vital part of a
child's life. They learn to get along with their peers, and they develop 4 consciences or a sense of right
and wrong. Puberty and sensitivity about the body may begin. These children become more aware of
deeper friendships, and their relationships with their parents might change. They begin facing moral
decisions because pressure from peers becomes stronger.

Adolescence

The adolescence stage follows childhood. You have already learned some things about
adolescence. A deeper look into the changes that occur during this stage will be given in a later section.

Adulthood

After adolescence, between the ages of 18 and 21, a person reaches adulthood. By this time, the body's
organs have fully developed, and the body's performance is at its peak. As adult ages, the body
continues to undergo many distinct changes. Body functions become slower, the skin loses some of its
elasticity, and less pigment is produced in the hair follicles (leading to white hair). Bones become
thinner and more brittle, so the risk of fracture (or break in bone) increases. An adult's stature may
shorten as he/ she ages because the discs between the vertebrae (spinal bones) compress and eventually
collapse as a result of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a medical condition that makes bones brittle and
more likely to break. Vision and hearing may also diminish. However, many adults continue to be
physically and mentally active. When an adult reaches old age at 60 to 65 years, they have an
opportunity to reflect on their life and accomplishments. These adults are often called senior citizens.
At this stage, most adults look back and review the events of their lives as well as their achievements.
Many attain a sense of fulfillment. For a number of them, old age is a time of contribution to their
family and to society, and they serve as volunteers in the community. Let us now go back to the stage
that you are currently in and focus on adolescence.

Let us look at the physical, mental, emotional, and social changes that you undergo during
puberty.

Physical Changes during Puberty

Your body has chemical substances that help regulate many of its functions. These chemical
substances are called hormones. Males produce the hormone testosterone, whereas females produce the
hormones estrogen and progesterone. These chemicals are responsible for the changes that take place in
teenagers during puberty

The development of sex characteristics is one of the most significant body changes that occur
during puberty. These characteristics are related to a person's sex. Primary sex characteristics refer to
the production of male and female reproductive cells. The reproductive cells, or gametes, in males are
called sperm. Sperm production begins at puberty. Once a male reaches puberty, each day millions of
sperm cells are produced in his testes, a male reproductive organ. Sperm production continues
throughout adulthood. Meanwhile, female gametes are called egg cells or ova. These are produced by
the ovaries, which are female reproductive organs. At birth, the body of a female already contains all
the eggs she will ever produce. These eggs do not mature until puberty begins with the onset of
ovulation. In this process, one of the two ovaries releases a ripened egg about once a month.

The onset of sperm production for males or ovulation for females tells you that. Have become sexually
mature and are already able to reproduce. Secondary sex’s characteristics are physical attributes that
develop during puberty you but are not directly involved in reproduction. They also refer to the body
parts that undergo changes during puberty. The developments of these characteristics are driven by sex
hormones. The exact age of development is unique for each adolescent. addition, these changes do not
occur overnight but gradually develop over several In months or even years.
The following are the secondary sex characteristics observed in females:
1. developed or enlarged breasts
2. Narrowed waistline
3. Widened hips
4. Increased body fat (in certain areas such as the hips)
5. Menstruation (the monthly cycle during which an ovary releases a mature egg)
The following are the secondary sex characteristics evident in males:
1. deepened voice
2. Facial hair
3. Developed muscles
4. Broadened shoulders
Secondary sex characteristics that can be seen in both males and females include:
1. body hair in the armpits and genital area
2. Increased perspiration
3. Complete permanent teeth
Among teenagers, the growth rate, body size, and shape vary from person to person. As
mentioned earlier, each teenager goes through puberty at his/her own pace you may experience changes
earlier or later than your friends do and may feel uncomfortable about it. Just keep in mind that all
teenagers will experience these changes in due time, and these changes are perfectly normal.

Mental and Emotional Changes during Puberty

During adolescence, your brain is changing too. At six years old, a child's brain s about 95% of
the size it will be when the child becomes an adult. During adolescence tne cerebrum, which is the
largest part of the brain, continues to develop. This brain development increases memory as well as the
ability to reason and come up with Solutions. In addition, while a child sees only a limited number of
solutions to any given problem, adolescents become more capable in solving problems in more logical
ways cagers learn to anticipate the consequence of an action and to understand differet points of view
logically.
Emotional change is also prominent in the adolescent years. You might start to look outward and
try to understand yourself and your role in society. You may begin to search for meaning in life and ask
who you really are. Personal values may also change during puberty. For example, you may question
the loyalty of your friends, volunteer in charity work to widen your experience of life, and disagree
with your parents at times about issues such as dating and curfews.

Social Changes During Puberty

you also experience social changes during adolescence. Your friends become a big part of your
social life. As you attend classes and extracurricular activities, you meet friends with the same interests
as well as people from various cultural and social backgrounds. These events can enrich your life. You
may also experience peer pressure, wherein your peers challenge your sense of right and wrong. For
example, your peer may ask you to try a puff of cigarette, yet you know that smoking is dangerous to
your health. This is the time for you to practice your decision-making skills, especially when an issue is
against your own personal values. Strong friendships begin when you realize that you share similar
goals, values, and experiences with others.

LET'S SUM UP

 The stages of growth and development include infancy, childhood, adolescence,and adulthood.
 The start of adolescence is marked by the onset of puberty.
 Changes in different health dimensions are normal during puberty.
 The pattern of change during puberty is similar for all adolescents, but the pace of
growth and development is unique for each individual.

ACTIVITY 2

LET'S CHECK

Do the following:
1. Define adolescence and puberty.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the stages of growth and development. Give the distinctive features of
each stage.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

3. Give the secondary sex characteristics found in temales, males, and both females
and males during puberty.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Describe the mental, emotional, and social changes that one undergoes during
puberty.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

References

BOOKS

Lacia, Gerardo et. al., The 21st Century MAPEH in Action, Worktext in Music, Arts, Physical
Education, and Heath 7, REX Publishing. Quezon City, Philippines 2015

(no author) Physical Education and Health Grade 7 Learners Material First Edition, 2017

Learning Module for Health 7, pp. 1-18

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

https://www.freepik.com/premium-vector/man-woman-doing-dumbbell-exercise_3906449.htm

https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/boys-playing-soccer-vector-illustration-gm985837698-267441551

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/160370436705840499/

https://wordmint.com/puzzles/2491366

https://www.clipart.email/clipart/child-eating-healthy-food-clipart-black-and-white-45009.html

http://clipart-library.com/pictures-of-people-sleeping-in-bed.html

https://www.clipart.email/download/5383133.html

https://clipartart.com/categories/church-attendance-clipart.html

https://www.drawingtutorials101.com/how-to-draw-tree-planting-scene-video