A child’s height is impacted by a combination of various factors. For a vast majority of people, maximum growth takes place pre-puberty. Children generally tend to grow the most until puberty and reach their maximum heights by the age of 18. Increase in height in adulthood is very rare.
If you have concerns regarding the growth of your child, pay a visit to a good general physician in Lahore or your area of residence.
- Nutrition
Nutrition plays an essential role in impacting growth. Height has a direct correlation with a healthy diet. Lack of proper nutrition for children can result in different sorts of dietary deficiencies. These deficiencies then lead to reduced or stunted growth and tend to make children less tall than those with good nutrition.
- Genetics
The genes of a child are a very major factor affecting height. DNA structure is essential in determining how tall a person would be. It is believed today that more than 700 different genes determine a person’s height. Some of these genes are responsible for production of growth hormone, and others affect the growth plates.
Some genetic conditions can also have an impact on a person’s adult height, such as Down syndrome and Marfan syndrome.Normal height ranges for people differ owing to different ethnic backgrounds. This too, is determined by the differences in DNA.
- Hormones
The body produces a number of different types of hormones that instruct the growth plates to make new bone. One such set of hormones is the growth hormones. These are made in the pituitary gland and are the most important hormones for growth. Certain health conditions may restrict the amount of growth hormones the body makes, negatively affecting height. For example, children with a rare genetic condition called congenital growth hormone deficiency, grow at a much slower rate than other children.
Another kind is the thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland makes these hormones that then influence growth. A third kind is the sex hormones. Sex hormones called testosterone and estrogen are essential for growth during puberty.
Sex
The sex of the child also has an impact on their heights. In general, males tend to be taller than females. Males may also continue growing for longer than females.
- Sleep
A lack of sleep can affect growth. This is particularly true during adolescence as insufficient hours of sleep can lead to growth related problems. This is because during sleep, the body releases HGH hormone. Production of this hormone and others may greatly reduce if one is not getting enough sleep.
- Posture
Good posture can lead to proper growth and a good height. Slouching and slumping over a long period of time can negatively affect height as well.
- Age
Age is another important factor in determining one’s height. Since height stops growing after a certain age, it is important that nutritional needs of children are met during their growth years.
A number of factors impact the height of children. While one should not fret over matters such as height, if you have any concerns about your child’s height and growth, for expert advice, book an appointment with the best general physician in Karachi or your city, at your earliest.