Adolescents constitute one fifth of the world population. Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and physiological development sensitive to various types of interferance leading to various issues like health problems and psychological disorders. This book deals with the magnitude of adolescent Health Problems, Puberty & Pubertal Disorders, Nutrition, Endocrinal problems & RTI among adolescents, Contraception, Sex & sexuality - myths and misconceptions, Adolescent Counseling and Stress Management etc.

Orissa is one of the backward states of India, consisting of 30 districts, the per capita income being significantly low. Some of the reasons of poverty in Orissa are its social composition- dominated by scheduled caste and scheduled tribe populations, low literacy, poor health infrastructure etc. The role of Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and Voluntary Organizations are quite significant in various fields such as: political, commercial, social welfare, cultural, religious, health and body care, sports, hotel and tourism, charities etc where adolescents are being involved as proactive agents in recent decades.

The content of this book is based on the findings of an intensive study involving a number of voluntary associations working in the urbans and slums of the study area. A total of 400 samples were taken from youth & adolescent groups in 8 urban locations of Orissa thus consisting of around 50 samples in each location. The study involved tools like schedules, questionnaires, individual interviews, in-depth discussions, and group meetings to probe the sex related activities of adolescent boys and girls and investigate different dimensions of adolescent issues.

The study was conducted as part of the doctoral project undertaken by the author guided by two eminent professors of Utkal University, Prof. Dr. L. K. Mahapatra and Prof. Dr. P. K. Mishra. The thesis was submitted for Ph. D. degree in the P. G. Deptt. of Anthropology in 2008 and was awarded the same in 2009 by Utkal University.