For Kayla, there are multiple factors that signify risk in regard to her biological development.

Arnett (2014) argues that Kayla’s development of different body parts at different rates
during puberty may cause Kayla’s negative body image to increase. Kayla’s early physical
maturation may have drawn the attention of older peers who could introduce her to
substances, early sexual activity, or promote delinquent behaviour. Arnett (2014) also
highlights that early maturing individuals experience a higher incidence of psychological and
social problems by their mid-twenties. According to recent research, Kayla’s early onset of
puberty may be attributed to a higher body fat content, which may indicate Kayla is at risk of
weight or obesity problems. Obese adolescents have higher leptin levels which is a protein
produced by fat cells that trigger the hypothalamus to initiate puberty. Furthermore, research
suggests that children are likely to experience a steep decline in physical activity between the
ages of 9 and 15, putting Kayla at a further increased risk of obesity and its associate health
outcomes.
In order to support Kayla during this time, it is important to focus on her high
achievement in sport. Vella et.al (2015) highlights a correlation between increased physical
and mental health outcomes, and participation in organised sport. Organised sport is also
associated with increased self-esteem, wellbeing, and social skills. Sport facilitates children
to engage with peers to develop teamwork and negotiation skills while also instructing them
to function within the rules and regulations of social systems. Furthermore Guagliano et al.
(2015) recognise that their participation in physical activity drops at a steeper gradient than
boys during transition into adolescence. Lastly, the Australian Institute of Criminology
(2003) suggests that sport has demonstrated an improvement in emotional and cognitive skills
by reducing boredom, which has clear links to feelings of depression and loneliness, and
decreasing the amount of unsupervised leisure time. Current discussions indicate that a lack
of stimulating activities leads to youth seeking their own stimulation that is often antisocial.
In practice this might involve Kayla’s PDHPE teacher who is knowledgeable about her
performance in sport encouraging Kayla to continue playing sport and liaising with Kayla’s
parents to discuss the benefits of Kayla’s continued engagement in areas of schooling that she
enjoys and excels.

References
Australian Institute of Criminology. (2003). Sport, physical activity and antisocial behaviour
in youth. (Publication No. 249). Retrieved from
https://search.proquest.com/docview/189455291?accountid=36155&rfr_id=info
%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo
Guagliano, J., Lonsdale, C., Kolt, G., Rosenkranz, R., & George, E. (2015). Increasing girls’
physical activity during a short-term organized youth sport basketball program: A
randomized controlled trial. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 18, 412-417.
Retrieved from https://www.clinicalkey.com.au/service/content/pdf/watermarked/1-
s2.0-S1440244015000419.pdf?locale=en_AU
Vella, S., Schranz, N., Davern, M., Hardy, L., Hills, A., Morgan, P., Plotnikoff, R., &
Tomkinson, G. (2015). The contribution of organised sports to physical activity in
Australia: Results and directions from the Active Healthy Kids Australia 2014 Report
Card on physical activity for children and young people. Journal of Science and
Medicine in Sport, 19, 407-412. Retrieved from
https://www.clinicalkey.com.au/service/content/pdf/watermarked/1-s2.0-
S1440244015000936.pdf?locale=en_AU
Arnett, J. (2014). Adolescence and emerging adulthood (5th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson.