Paediatric expert warns against excessive protein for children’s growth and kidney health

A paediatric endocrinologist highlights the risks of overloading children with double protein, emphasising balanced diets and proper growth essentials over quick fixes for height.

Paediatric endocrinologist Aman Bhakti Pulungan has warned parents not to assume that giving children “double protein” will make them grow taller. Speaking at a news conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, Pulungan said the most important factor is getting enough protein, not loading a child’s diet with far more than they need. He said he was unaware of any scientific basis for claims that extra protein automatically leads to greater height.

Pulungan also pointed to the risks of overdoing protein intake. He said the human body is not designed to keep filtering very large amounts of protein waste over long periods and recalled treating a child whose intake had reached 400 to 500 grams a day and whose kidney function was affected. That warning is in line with health guidance from Cleveland Clinic and Healthline, which say excessive protein can strain the kidneys, particularly in people who already have kidney problems, and may also cause dehydration and digestive issues.

Rather than focusing on one nutrient, Pulungan urged parents to aim for a balanced plate with carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats as well as protein. He said children do not need expensive sources to eat well, pointing to fish, chicken, eggs, tempeh and tofu as suitable options. He also dismissed the idea that fish oil, large amounts of milk, vitamin D or extra calcium are a shortcut to added height in otherwise healthy children.

For children over one year old, he said one to two glasses of fresh milk a day is enough, while babies should still be breastfed during the first two years. Pulungan added that healthy growth depends on broader basics: enough sleep, regular exercise, proper food and emotional wellbeing. Cleveland Clinic similarly notes that most children can get sufficient protein from their ordinary diet and that supplements are usually unnecessary. For parents worried about growth, Pulungan advised seeing a paediatrician so doctors can check for bone disorders or specific nutrient deficiencies and treat the real cause rather than chasing a quick fix.