As boys approach adolescence, they're on the lookout for lip fuzz and armpit hair as signs of their new maturity. They anxiously await that promised growth spurt. "With boys it's all about height, because it's so evident," says Sylvia Jackson, a mother of three in New Jersey. "All my eighth-grader talks about is breaking the five-foot barrier!"
First signs of puberty in boys include development of pubic hair—something that isn't readily apparent to others. But those who develop earlier than others, who begin to add muscle and height, generally feel good about themselves, says Elane Rehr, a professor of psychology at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Valley, California. "They have a man's body and increased lung capacity. They are better athletes because they have that advantage. So their self-esteem goes up," says Rehr.
When boys reach puberty, they may become more athletic. "The boy who is normal weight to slightly overweight going into puberty tends not to be as self-conscious about his body during exercise [as a girl might be]," says pediatric nurse practitioner Barbara Poncelet, About's Guide to Teen Health. "Sometimes becoming leaner during puberty sparks an interest in weight-lifting and body-building type exercises. I have seen great, positive lifestyle changes because a boy wanted to play football or wrestle."
In an overweight teen boy, the combination of peer pressure and puberty can provide enough motivation for the teen to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. "But for obese teens, the story is different," says Poncelet. "They tend to do less physical activity as they get older, and I suspect it is due to embarrassment about their bodies."
