Everyone has at least once dreamed of a magic wand with which you can increase or decrease your height. However, on the pages of books, magic ends and medicine and technology develop. Therefore, hope for ideal parameters is still with us. Together with nutritionist Alena Sekinaeva, chief physician of Real Clinic, and Natalya Tanygina, endocrinologist at Central Clinic CMD, we investigate whether it is possible to become taller as an adult.
What does a person’s height depend on?
First you need to understand what a person’s height depends on. Experts identified several factors:
Genetic. A person’s height is determined primarily by parents. It is believed that 80% of a child’s growth depends on them. Currently, approximately 700 genes have been identified that affect various aspects of growth. Most of it is inherited.
Life style. Proper nutrition and exercise keep the spine straight and support growth hormone production. Thus, in the last 50 years, the average height has increased by five centimeters due to the increase in the quality of life. Even with good genetic potential, growth may be lower than expected if the basic rules of a healthy lifestyle are not followed.
Dream. Sleep is one of the main factors. Growth hormone somatotropin is produced mostly at night. And the better the sleep, the higher the peak.
Standards:
Each country has its own concept of norms; For Russia, this is comparable to Europe. It is believed that the average height of a man is 176 cm, and a woman is 164. However, it is important to understand that this depends on each person’s age and weight.
According to 2024 data, the tallest men live in the Netherlands (approximately 183 cm), and the tallest women live in Latvia (approximately 170 cm).
When does a person’s height change?
A growth spurt occurs during puberty (for girls – at the age of 11 – 13 years, for boys – at the age of 13 – 15 years). At the end of puberty, growth stops. And after 30 it gradually decreases – at first imperceptibly, then faster. As you approach 50, the annual loss of muscle mass begins, resulting in leaning.
Of course, the body has individual characteristics. However, deviations from the norm may indicate problems. For example:
Pathology of growth hormone secretion. If too much is produced, gigantism develops (over two meters in height); If it is too small, dwarfism develops (up to 150 cm in males).
Secretory disorders sex hormones. With testosterone deficiency in young men, growth may persist and exceed the normal range.
Chronic diseases. Severely short or tall stature may be a symptom of hereditary syndromes (Turner syndrome, Marfan syndrome) or chronic diseases of childhood.
Is it possible to be taller or shorter?
Growth can be stimulated during childhood. For example, exercise, consume sufficient amounts of protein and microelements, and monitor the quality of your sleep. Replacement therapy can also be performed during adolescence. Insulin is injected into the blood and the reaction of growth hormone production is monitored. Performing such a procedure on adult patients can cause acromegaly, a serious disease that disfigures appearance and affects internal organs.
It is physiologically impossible to increase or decrease height in adulthood. The exception is traumatic surgical interventions. Painless techniques provide only temporary results. Therefore, it is much more important to preserve what you have: preserve muscles, strengthen bones with calcium and vitamin D, get examined on time and exercise.
Source: People Talk
I’m Roger Gritton, and I’ve been writing for the The Fashion Vibes for over 5 years now. My specialty is beauty news; I’m passionate about covering the latest trends, products, and innovations in the industry. In my time there, I’ve become known as an authority on all things beauty-related.
I love discovering new experts to interview, researching up-and-coming ingredients and techniques that are making their way onto our beauty shelves and highlighting people who are making a difference in the world of cosmetics. My work has appeared not only on The Fashion Vibes, but also several other publications including the New York Times Magazine, Allure Magazine and Refinery29.
