Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. This is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health. Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth, which affects how they feel, think, make decisions, and interact with the world around them. During this phase, adolescents establish patterns of behavior related to diet, physical activity, substance use, and sexual activity that can protect their health and the health of others around them or put their health at risk now and in the future.
The age range for adolescence is often debated, but experts often believe that adolescence begins with puberty, or around ages 10 to 14. By middle adolescence (ages 15 to 18), symptoms of puberty may subside, and teens might be closer to their adult height, weight, and size if they are in good health. Adolescence is often broken into three stages: early, middle, and late adolescence.
In summary, adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19, and it is often broken into three stages: early, middle, and late adolescence.
