Why Your Height Isn't What You Expected: The Truth About What Impacts Height

Why Your Height Isn't What You Expected

Have you ever felt you should be taller or shorter than you actually are? Most people have an ideal height in mind that doesn't always line up with reality. Your genes, childhood environment, nutrition, and health all shape how tall you ultimately become.

While you can't change your height as an adult, it helps to understand the factors that determine your stature. Let's explore why your current height may not match the number you feel it "should" be.

Your Genes Account for 80% of Your Height

Genes play a major role in your height potential. In fact, studies show that genetic factors determine about 80% of your height outcome.

A specific gene called the human growth hormone (HGH) gene influences your growth hormone levels and growth rate, particularly in childhood. The gene for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) also impacts height.

Furthermore, researchers have identified over 700 other gene variants that help shape height. The combinations you inherit from your parents largely decide how tall you ultimately become.

One Parent's Genes May Dominate

Since you receive a mix of genes from both parents, one side may dominate when it comes to height. For example, if one parent comes from a tall family, you may inherit more "tall" genes.

Some recessive height genes can also skip generations. So even if both your parents are short, tall ancestors could lead you to surpass your parent's heights.

Nutrition During Childhood Matters

While genetics establish your height range, getting adequate nutrition throughout childhood also plays a role. Children who are malnourished or have nutrient deficiencies can fail to reach their full growth potential.

Protein supports development of growth hormones. So inadequate protein intake due to poverty or food insecurity can limit height. Micronutrients like zinc, calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus also influence growth.

Growth Hormone Disorders Change Height

Problems with growth hormones lead to abnormal height in some people. Excess growth hormone production can cause gigantism or acromegaly, leading to excessive tallness.

Growth hormone deficiency due to pituitary disorders results in short stature. Other conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease also affect growth hormones and stature.

Chronic Disease Stunts Growth

Certain chronic health conditions can impair growth and prevent you from reaching your height potential. These include:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Cancer

The inflammation and nutritional deficiencies associated with chronic illness disrupt growth hormones, reducing height.

Your Ethnicity Influences Height

Your ethnic background also plays a role. Certain populations tend to be taller on average such as Dutch people, while others like Guatemalans and Indonesians trend shorter.

Ethnic differences in adult height stem from both genetic and environmental factors. Access to nutrition, sanitation, and healthcare impact growth rates across ethnic groups.

Height Is Maximized During Growth Spurts

The ages of your growth spurts influence final height. Major spurts occur around infancy, age 2, puberty, and the teen years. When these critical growth periods coincide with good health and nutrition, maximum height is achieved.

Delayed puberty can prolong the growth period and increase final height in some teens. However, late puberty can also be related to malnutrition or underlying health issues that restrict growth.

Secondhand Smoke Hinders Growth

Exposure to secondhand smoke during childhood reduces growth rate and final adult height. Studies show the more smoke exposure, the shorter the child is likely to become.

Secondhand smoke impacts growth by impairing lung function, reducing oxygen circulation, and increasing inflammation. Quitting smoking and avoiding smoke exposure promotes height in children.

Shorter Parents Tend to Have Shorter Kids

While genetics are not destiny, your odds of being short increase if your parents are short. Short stature is considered highly inheritable.

For example, a study found when the father is shorter than 5'5", 46% of sons were also shorter than 5'5". If both parents are under 5'4", the child had a 79% chance of being short.

Taller Parents Often Have Taller Children

Likewise, tall stature runs in families. Having taller parents ups your odds of surpassing average height.

In the same study, fathers over 5'10" had sons above 5'10" 48% of the time. When both parents were over 5'9", 72% of children exceeded average height.

Birth Order Plays a Small Role

Your birth order can influence your height somewhat. Research shows firstborn children tend to be slightly shorter on average compared to later siblings.

However, birth order effects are small. One study found firstborns averaged 1 cm shorter than secondborns and 0.5 cm shorter than thirdborns.

Shorter People May Live Longer

While being tall is considered desirable, shorter people may gain a longevity advantage. Multiple studies link shorter height to lower mortality risk and increased lifespan.

For example, a study of over 31,000 adults found mortality risk rose 6% for every 4 inches over 5 feet. Shorter people may be more biologically efficient, putting less strain on their hearts.

Extreme Height is Linked to Health Issues

While moderately short stature may boost lifespan, extreme shortness raises health risks. Likewise, excessive tallness correlates to higher mortality risk.

People with dwarfism resulting in very short height face greater risk of respiratory issues, obesity, joint problems, and cardiovascular disease.

At the other extreme, individuals with gigantism and acromegaly often experience diabetes, high blood pressure, vision loss, and nerve problems due to hormonal abnormalities and strain on the body.

Height Differences Level Out With Age

Height loss occurs naturally with aging due to muscle loss and spinal compression. This means differences in stature diminish among older adults.

After age 30, people lose about 0.5 inch per decade. By 80, significant height loss of 3-4 inches is common, equalizing heights in seniors.

Men Lose Height Faster Than Women

Men consistently lose more height with age compared to women. Some reasons for greater male height loss include:

• Muscle loss from declining testosterone
• Heavier bodies putting more pressure on spines
• Greater occupations involving physical strain

One study found men lost 2.6 cm in height between ages 30-70, while women lost 1.7 cm over the same period.

Spinal Curvature Limits Height

Spinal conditions like scoliosis or kyphosis result in curving of the spine. This causes people with these conditions to be shorter than they would with a straight spine.

Scoliosis develops in childhood in about 3% of people. Kyphosis affecting height generally develops from slouching and vertebral fractures later in life.

Osteoporosis Leads to Height Loss

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing risk of fractures including in the spine. Multiple spinal fractures result in a stooped posture, significant height loss, and chronic back pain.

Factors like menopause, smoking, medications, low calcium intake, and inactivity increase osteoporosis risk. Getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D helps strengthen bones.

Disc Degeneration Reduces Height

Everyone loses some disc height naturally with age, but some degenerate faster from genetics or lifestyle factors. Thinning, shrinking discs in the spine reduce space between vertebrae and total height.

Maintaining a strong back and core, proper lifting techniques, and ideal weight can help delay disc degeneration and associated height decreases.

Dwarfism Causes Very Short Stature

There are over 200 types of dwarfism resulting in exceptionally short height under 4'10" as an adult. Disorders like achondroplasia are caused by genetic mutations impacting bone growth.

Because dwarfism is genetic, parents with forms of dwarfism often have children who inherit short stature. In some cases, dwarfism occurs spontaneously due to new mutations.

Growth Hormone Deficiency Causes Short Height

Insufficient growth hormone due to issues like pituitary gland damage, hypothyroidism, or traumatic brain injury causes shortened height in children and teens. Adult height averages around 4'10".

Growth hormone injections before growth plates close can add several inches, though not always reaching full height potential. Adults receive GH to maintain strength and metabolism.

Delayed Puberty Extends Growth Period

Delayed puberty extends the growing years since growth plates don't close until adolescence finishes. This results in slightly taller final height compared to those with earlier puberty.

However, extreme delay of sexual maturation is abnormal and may be related to poor nutrition or underlying health conditions impairing growth.

Takeaway

Your current height results from a complex interplay of genetics, health, nutrition, and environmental factors. While you can't change your height as an adult, focusing on living healthfully gives you the best shot at reaching your optimal growth potential during childhood development.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.