By Kevin Gong
The main factor that influences a person’s height is their genetic makeup, or DNA. However, many other factors can influence height during development, including nutrition, hormones, and medical conditions. Scientists believe that DNA is responsible for about 80%Trusted Source of a person’s height. This means, for instance, that tall people tend to have children who also grow up to be tall. People usually grow until they reach 18 years of age. Before then, a range of environmental factors can affect how tall they become. This essay will discuss the factors that influence a person’s height, some ways individuals can increase their height during development, and whether or not adults can increase their height.
Nutrition plays a very important role in growth. Children without good nutrition may not be as tall as children with adequate nutrition. Nutritionists recommend that children and young people eat a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. This will ensure that they get all the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive. Sleep promotesTrusted Source growth and development in children and teenagers. During deep sleep, the body releases the hormones it needs to grow. Getting enough sleep may therefore allow optimal growth. Not getting enough sleep over a long period of time may interfere with healthy growth, cause other health problems, and impair the ability of the child to focus, learn, and participate in life.
Babies and children grow continuously. This is due to changes in the growth plates in the long bones of their arms and legs. As the growth plates make new bone, the long bones get longer, and the child gets taller. In the first year of their lives, babies typically grow by 50%. Between the ages of 2 and 5, children usually grow by 2.5–3.5 inches (in), or 6.3–8.9 centimeters (cm), annually. By age 10, children will usually grow by 2.5 in, or 6.3 cm, every year. During adolescence, which lasts from roughly age 11 to age 21, teenagers will reach the final 15–20% of their adult height. After this, the growth plates stop making new bones, and a person will stop growing. Due to typical aging processes.
In summary, DNA determines a person’s height. However, environmental factors, such as nutrition and exercise, can affect growth during development. As children get older, they need good nutrition and plenty of exercise to help their bodies make the hormones they need to grow.
