By meeting yearly with your teen, the doctor can keep track of changes in physical, mental, and social development and offer advice about avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking.

The doctor also can help your teen understand the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, proper exercise, and safety measures.

The more that teens understand about their physical growth and sexual development, the more they will recognize the importance of active involvement in their own health care.

What to Expect at the Doctor’s Office
Teens should visit their doctors annually. Those with a chronic medical condition or certain clinical signs or symptoms might need more frequent visits.

Medical care should include screenings for high blood pressure, obesity, eating disorders, depression, and if indicated, hyperlipidemia (an excess of cholesterol and/or other fats in the blood). Older teens may be screened for alcohol, drugs, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A tuberculin (PPD) test may be done if a teen is at risk for tuberculosis.

Vision and hearing will be checked. Teens are also checked for scoliosis (curvature of the spine).