Parents are often concerned about their kids’ height, especially if they’re shorter than other children or family members. The good news is that there are many factors that impact height, from nutrition to hormones.
During regular doctor visits, doctors will measure your child’s height and plot it on a growth chart to see how their progress is compared to other kids of the same age.
1. Genetics
Genetics refers to the transfer of physical traits from parents to children. Genetic factors largely determine a child’s height, as well as various other physical characteristics such as hair color and texture.
Almost all people inherit some variants of genes that influence their height, though the precise role of each remains unclear. Known genes include those that cause rare disorders with dramatic effects on height (for example, the gene FGFR3 causes achondroplasia) and others that have more modest effects in individuals without related health conditions.
Scientists believe that early life experiences can impact how much a gene is expressed, or whether it is even activated at all. For example, a poor diet, chronic illness, or exposure to harmful chemicals may suppress a gene that would normally lead to increased height.
In addition, sex plays a role in growth. Girls mature at a faster rate than boys, and tend to be taller as adults. The sex of a person also influences the type of activity he or she participates in during adolescence, which can alter the structure of the body and lead to different levels of physical development.
Finally, nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. A diet low in fruits and vegetables, and high in sugar, fat, and saturated fat, can negatively impact a child’s growth and development, as can an inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals.
2. Diet
Children need a balanced diet to grow and thrive. Their bodies and brains need adequate amounts of calories from whole foods to develop at a healthy rate, as well as enough protein to build muscles and bones. They should also be eating regularly and seeing their health care provider at regular intervals for routine well-child visits.
Most kids will start at a different place on the CDC growth curve, and it is normal for their height to fluctuate as they go through periods of fast or slow growth. However, it is a cause for concern if they fall down a percentile, or if they have been going up the chart and then suddenly have a large downward shift.
Genes account for 80% of a child’s height, and the rest is dependent on environmental factors such as nutrition and sleep. During growth spurts, which can last for 24 to 36 months, kids need extra calories and nutrients to help them develop, so make sure they are eating well.
Hundreds of medical problems can affect growth rates, so it is important for your doctor to watch the pattern of your child’s growth closely. Early signs that something may be wrong include wearing out shoes before outgrowing them; fitting into coats or clothes from the previous year; younger siblings outgrowing your child; and a decline in their growth percentile compared with other kids of the same age and gender.
4. Sleep
While diet and exercise can contribute to growth, getting a good night’s sleep is important too. Studies have linked shorter sleep duration with less height, but it is not clear whether this is a cause or effect.
The assumption that sleep promotes growth stems from the well-known production of human growth hormone during deep sleep. Registered nurse and clinical sleep educator Terry Cralle describes the process in a nutshell on her website. During deep sleep, the hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland that trigger it to secrete growth hormone. This hormone travels to the liver, where it converts to an insulin-like substance that stimulates bone, muscle, and fatty tissue growth.
Many sleep problems – like snoring and pauses in breathing called sleep apnea – can interfere with the body’s production of growth hormone. In addition, some medications can also affect growth, including stimulants such as Ritalin and methylphenidate for ADHD.
The best way to evaluate your child’s height is through regular checkups and monitoring their progress on standard growth charts for kids of the same age. It is normal for children to fluctuate from one percentile to another, but persistently falling behind other kids of the same age and gender could signal a medical problem. A doctor will take measurements of a child’s height and plot them on the growth chart to follow over time.
