Preparing children FOR PUBERTY

Puberty is the biological process of physical maturation, with the typical onset age ranging between 8-13 years for girls and 9-14 years for boys.

- DR. RIDHI KAUR

My daughter has just turned nine years old. I don't know how to prepare her for puberty. Please advise. - Maria Dillon, Goa

The early/late onset of puberty is determined by genetics, nutritional well-being and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as plastics and pesticides.

You should watch for these signs of puberty:

• Breast budding (thelarche) in girls usually the first sign.

• Pubic and axillary hair growth (pubarche/adrenarche) in both sexes.

• Growth spurt

• Skin changes (acne) and body odour

• Onset of menstrual cycles (menarche) typically occurs 2-3 years after breast budding in girl children

Here are some suggestions to prepare your daughter for puberty:

• Initiate discussions on puberty and the body changes it entails.

• Discuss social media messages about body image, healthy body diversity, and respect for privacy and consent.

• Model balanced meals, plan shared physical activities, and ensure consistent sleep schedules

• Ensure sex education conversations are age-appropriate — facts first, values later, and emphasize safety, consent and talking to trusted adults.

My seven-year-old suffers from constipation. Please suggest prevention strategies. - Diya Nandakumar, Trivandrum

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints among children, affecting 30 percent of the child population. Its prevalence is higher in urban children because of higher consumption of processed foods, reduced fibre intake, sedentary habits, and altered toileting routines.

Diets that include excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates, ultra-processed snacks, and sugary drinks, with low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, cause constipation and alter the gut microbiome.