According to nutritionist Nguyen Trung Hieu from the Department of Nutrition at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, children who frequently consume foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, tend to gain weight quickly. Being overweight or obese is a significant factor linked to early puberty. When excessive body fat accumulates, hormonal changes can trigger an earlier onset of puberty.

Hieu advises parents to help children manage the frequency and portion sizes of the following food items:

Fried Foods

Fried chicken, french fries, fish balls, and sausages are popular among children due to their crispy, fatty, and rich flavors. However, these foods are high in energy, fat, and salt. Frequent consumption, especially when paired with sugary drinks or high-fat sauces, can easily lead to children consuming more energy than their bodies require.

Fried dishes often contain less fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared to a balanced meal. Parents should limit their children's consumption of these foods and avoid using them as substitutes for main meals. Instead, children should choose healthy protein sources like meat, fish, and eggs prepared by steaming, boiling, pan-frying with minimal oil, or grilling to ensure proper nutrition.

Fried foods, rich in energy, fat, and salt, should not be consumed frequently by children. Photo: Van Anh

Sugary Drinks

Soft drinks, milk tea, bottled fruit juices, and syrups typically contain high amounts of added sugar. Regular consumption of these beverages also fosters a preference for sweet flavors, causing children to drink less plain water, avoid fresh fruit, or dislike unsweetened milk. Children should drink plain water and opt for age-appropriate milk and whole fruits instead of juices.

Sweets and Ice Cream

Cookies, candies, chocolate, ice cream, and various pastries are often high in sugar, fat, and calories but low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. If children eat these foods before main meals, they can feel full, leading them to eat less rice, protein, green vegetables, and essential micronutrients.

Some children may not eat much during main meals but still gain weight due to frequent snacking on sweets and ice cream between meals. Instead of stocking up on many sweets, families should prepare healthy snacks such as: unsweetened yogurt, low-sugar fruits, corn, sweet potatoes, and age-appropriate nuts.

Processed Meats

Meatballs, ham, bacon, and canned foods are convenient, easy to prepare, and favored by many children. However, these items often contain more salt, fat, additives, and calories than fresh meat in the same portion. Regular consumption can increase a child's risk of excess salt intake, weight gain, and developing a preference for strong-flavored foods.

Hieu recommends that children's meals should include fresh protein like fish, lean meat, eggs, tofu, shrimp, and crab, combined with green vegetables, appropriate starches, and healthy fats.

Instant Snacks

Snacks, potato chips, and instant noodles are foods children can easily overeat because they are crispy, salty, and convenient. These items are typically rich in refined carbohydrates, fat, and salt, while being low in good protein, fiber, and micronutrients.

Instant noodles should not be a child's breakfast or dinner. When serving instant noodles, parents should reduce the seasoning packet and add eggs, meat, and green vegetables. For packaged snacks, it is advisable to divide them into small portions rather than letting children eat an entire large bag.

According to Hieu, nutrition is not the only factor determining early puberty. This condition is also linked to genetics, endocrine disorders, exposure to chemicals, among others. However, weight control is something parents can actively manage.

Parents should monitor their child's weight and height every 3-6 months and compare it with growth charts. Seek early medical consultation if a child experiences rapid weight gain, abdominal obesity, or abnormal height increases. Signs of early puberty in girls include: breast development before 8 years old, pubic hair, armpit hair, or vaginal bleeding. In boys, signs include: increased testicular and penis size, voice breaking, or pubic hair before 9 years old.

Specialized examinations help assess bone age, nutritional status, and endocrine function, allowing for timely intervention. Families should not arbitrarily put children on strict diets or use weight-loss medications. Children still need sufficient energy and nutrients for height development, brain function, and immunity.

Van Anh