Healthy Basics: Body Changes (Girls)

At age 9 or 10, my body naturally begin to change.

A hormone in my body sends a message to the whole body that it’s time to grow up. Since every person is different, every person’s body will change at a different time.

How MY BODY tells me it is changing

On the outside:

• I’m growing taller and bigger. I need larger clothes and shoes.
• I notice pimples on my face. I need to wash my face more often.
• My breasts are starting to grow and sometimes they feel sore.
• I am gaining weight, because I feel like eating all the time. I need to eat healthy food: whole fruits, vegetables, beans and yogurt—not fast food that will make me fat.
• I see small hairs growing everywhere: on my arms and legs, underarms, and around my private parts (vagina).
• My body smells different and has body odor because I perspire (sweat) more. I need to shower every day and use deodorant under my arms.
• I need to brush my teeth after eating so I won’t have “bad breath”.
• Sometimes when I am in bed, my leg muscles ache. I am growing and stretching!

Inside I feel different too:

• I can’t stop what’s happening to my body; it’s part of growing up. I want to look like the other girls.
• I’m embarrassed about the changes in my body.
• I feel happy sometimes, and I feel worried or lonely sometimes.
• It may help to discuss these feelings with your mom or dad. Remember, they are grown up, and they have gone through the body changes too!
• Body changes happen to everyone! It is how you become grown up!