The growth of height refers to the increase in an individual’s overall length from birth to adulthood. This measurement is influenced by many factors, including genetics, age at the beginning of growth and nutrition. Although people cannot change their DNA, they can try to maximize their height by providing the best possible nutrition for their body and mind.
Children grow the most during their first 9 months of life. This is due to changes in the long bones of the arms and legs called growth plates. After that, the rate of growth slows down. During childhood and puberty, most kids and teens will grow about 2.5 in (6.3 cm) every year. During this period of time, boys and girls grow at different rates. Some girls may experience a growth spurt at an early age, while others won’t have one until the start of their teenage years.
Genetics largely determine the final height of adults. It is estimated that around 80% of a person’s height is determined by their genes. A person’s height is also influenced by certain environmental factors, such as diet and exercise.
The height of parents is important because it is a major factor that influences the height of their offspring. Taller parents will typically produce taller children. However, brothers or sisters with the same parents can grow at different rates. Children can also be born prematurely or with other medical conditions that can slow their growth.
While most of the genes that determine height are fairly well understood, the exact role these play is still being studied. For example, scientists have discovered that the FGFR3 gene has rare variants that have dramatic effects on height and are associated with certain diseases. In addition, hundreds of other genes have been linked to height, but their exact roles are not yet fully understood.
A person’s height is also affected by hormones, such as growth hormones and thyroid hormones. For example, children with a rare genetic condition called congenital growth hormone deficiency will have a much slower growth rate than their peers. Other hormones, such as sex hormones, are also important for growth during puberty.
In general, men are a bit taller than women on average. In addition, males can continue growing for longer than females after reaching their peak height.
It is hard to predict a specific adult height because it depends on many factors, especially lifestyle and diet. However, some studies suggest that eating a healthy balanced diet and keeping up a good level of exercise can help you grow taller. It is also important to get enough sleep and maintain a positive mental attitude.