Is There Anything I Can Do To Make Myself Taller?

Published: September 05, 2018
Dear TeenHealthFX,

I'm currently 16 years almost 17 and I'm a male. One thing I have noticed is while my friends continue to grow around me and get taller and taller, I seem to have stopped growing entirely, people who use to be the same height as me a year ago or even smaller are now towering over me. My mother is currently shorter than me but my uncle, father and grandfathers from both sides are all very tall people so I don'€™t think it might not all be genetics. I currently stand at 5 ft 5 which causes many confidence issues and anxiety since most boys my age are at least 5ft 10. I have had a poor diet up to this point in my life consisting of processed foods and high carbs, I was wondering if it is possible for me to grow taller by improving my diet or if it is too late for growth spurts to occur? Is there anything else I can change in my life to encourage growth?

Signed: Is There Anything I Can Do To Make Myself Taller?

Dear Is There Anything I Can Do To Make Myself Taller?,

According to Medical News Today:

All individuals have a maximum potential height. Some things can be done to ensure a person reaches their full potential height, but a person cannot grow beyond this by using supplements or eating certain foods.

Eating a healthful diet and getting enough sleep and exercise is essential. There are many ways to stay active, from joining a sports team to helping with household chores.

Teenagers need 8 to 10 hours sleep a night. A healthful sleep pattern means going to bed at around the same time each night and not staying up too late.

During puberty, boys may be shorter or taller than other boys their age. This can be hard to deal with. Understanding the changes their body is going through and being able to find information about puberty can help.

Boys should be reassured that growing takes time and that everyone is different. Developing good self-esteem through positive family relationships, friendships, hobbies, and interests can all help boys to cope with puberty.

Since you have some questions and concerns about your height, TeenHealthFX recommends that you discuss it with your doctor during your next well-visit (which you should be having yearly). If your next well-visit is not for some time, talk to your parents about scheduling something sooner so you can talk to your doctor about this. Your doctor can also advise you on healthy sleep, eating and exercise habits

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

For more information about height and puberty, you can also read the KidsHealth article Feeling Too Tall or Too Short and the Young Men’s Health article on Puberty.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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