Other factors besides genetics that determine a person's height?

Question

Are there any other factors besides your genes that will help determine your overall height as an adult? I'm curious....[i.e. why am i so short?]

Haha. I just want to know if certain factors in the environment, or lifestyle of a child, have an impact on his or her height as he or she matures.

Answer 1

don't smoke marijuana it might stump growth!

Answer 2

Age and health. Those people who are malnutritious tend to be shorter because their body lacks many of the nutrients the body needs for proper growth.

Answer 3

i think if u have more protein in ur diet it helps

Answer 4

their diet.

sports.

physical activites.

accidents.

living conditions.

their health.

Answer 5

Genetics is certainly the most influential factor in height, however there are other things that can affect it.

First, it's possible to get taller when you're as old as 21. This is relatively rare, but especially with girls, sometimes it happens.

Next, if you had any extenuating circumstances in childhood, such as malnutrition or an eating disorder, you may not have grown to full potential.

There are also studies that certain substances, in very large doses, can stunt growth. Caffeine is one often-argued-over example. Studies have shown that diets severely lacking in calcium, plus caffeine (which leaches calcium out of bones) in the form of coffee or soft drinks, can inhibit growth. This is, admittedly, a rare scenario.

You could have a condition that's caused your short stature, but unless there are other disconcerting symptoms, you'll likely be in the dark on that one forever.

Your mother could have consumed harmful substances during pregnancy. There's a long list of things that can inhibit fetal growth.

You could have a physical condition that's gone undiagnosed. One (which I have) is called lordosis, which is an over-curvature of the spine from front to back (instead of side to side like scoliosis).

Even considering other possibilities, the most likely cause is still genetics. Even if your parents are average-to-tall in height, shorter grandparents and other relatives can demonstrate shortness in genes.