Defining adolescence: priorities from a global health perspective

A recent Viewpoint 1 Sawyer SM Azzopardi PS Wickremarathne D Patton GC The age of adolescence. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2018; 2: 223-228 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (996) Google Scholar in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health proposed extending the definition of adolescence from 10–19 years to 10–24 years, noting delays in the transition age to adult roles (eg, marriage and parenthood) in many societies as the main motivation. The age of adolescenceAdolescence is the phase of life stretching between childhood and adulthood, and its definition has long posed a conundrum. Adolescence encompasses elements of biological growth and major social role transitions, both of which have changed in the past century. Earlier puberty has accelerated the onset of adolescence in nearly all populations, while understanding of continued growth has lifted its endpoint age well into the 20s. In parallel, delayed timing of role transitions, including completion of education, marriage, and parenthood, continue to shift popular perceptions of when adulthood begins. Full-Text PDF