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What is the average height of a 16-year-old teen?
Puberty is a transformative phase in the lives of adolescents, and it has a significant impact on their height. For girls, the onset of puberty usually occurs between the ages of 10 to 11, and it generally concludes around 15 to 17. Consequently, by the time they reach 16, their height doesn't experience substantial growth. On average, girls stand at around 64 inches (162.5 centimeters) in height at this age.
In contrast, boys typically commence puberty later than girls. This delayed onset can initially result in a shorter stature. However, as they progress through puberty, boys often undergo significant growth spurts, ultimately leading to an increase in their height. On average, boys reach a height of approximately 68.3 inches (173.5 centimeters) by the age of 16.
How to grow taller at 16? Is it possible?
From genes to nutrition, everything plays a vital role in determining your final height. While your genes occupy most and you cannot control them, you can regulate the remaining factors. HOW? Keep scrolling to know!
Engaging in a balanced diet
Most 16-year-old teens are still growing. That is why they need a balanced and nutritious diet to help build strong bones and muscles, which is necessary for contributing to height growth.
They should focus on
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Carbohydrates are the main energy source and take over half of calories. Make sure to select healthy carbs from high-carb vegetables, grains, fruits, dried fruits, and pulses, such as sweet potatoes, corn, brown rice, quinoa, oats, bananas, apples, dates, raisins, kidney beans, lentils, etc.
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Protein is necessary to build and grow muscles and occupies about a quarter of calories. Good sources of protein include lean meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, legumes, soy, and low-fat and non-fat dairy products.
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Calcium is needed to make teeth and bones stronger. Try to consume more milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, canned salmon, cereal, and orange juice.
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Vitamin D plays a key role in supporting the body in absorbing calcium. Modest amounts of this nutrient can be found in mushrooms, alfalfa, milk, and cereals.
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Zinc helps with overall growth and sexual maturation, especially lacking zinc might stunt growth in boys [1]. You easily get zinc from oysters, poultry, red meat, crab, beans, nuts, whole grains, breakfast cereals, and dairy products.
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Healthy fats also help with overall development and support the body in absorbing vitamins and minerals. Choose healthy fats from vegetable oils, nuts, fatty fish, olives, and avocados.
Watering the body
Water plays a vital role in facilitating the body's functions, enabling the absorption of essential proteins, minerals, and nutrients into cells. This crucial process allows cells to operate efficiently, expediting physical growth and overall well-being. However, a critical question arises: What is the optimal water intake for a 16-year-old teenager?
In the case of adolescents aged 14 to 18, it is recommended that they consume between 64 and 88 ounces of water daily, which equates to roughly 8 to 11 cups. This ensures that their bodies receive the hydration necessary to support their growth and overall health
Considering supplements
The nutritional content of the food your children consume plays a pivotal role in their growth and overall well-being. However, there are instances where food alone may not provide all the essential nutrients they need. This underscores the significance of considering dietary supplements as a valuable addition to their diet to ensure they meet their nutritional requirements.
Dietary supplements encompass a wide spectrum, including vitamins, herbal extracts, and even synthetic growth hormones that have the potential to enhance height by a few inches. Nonetheless, it's essential to note that these products are readily available in the market and are not subjected to the same rigorous regulations as pharmaceuticals by the FDA. Consequently, it is imperative that you seek guidance from a medical professional, such as your doctor, before incorporating supplements into your children's dietary regimen. Their expertise can help you make informed decisions regarding the most appropriate and safe supplementation for your child's specific needs.
Stretching the whole body
Along with a healthy diet, stretching every single part of the body is necessary to keep your children in good shape and help them grow taller. Yes, stretching improves the spine flexibility, heightens the spinal muscles, and lengthens the leg muscles. Make sure to do stretches constantly and rigorously to acquire health benefits.
Also, try to be active as much as possible by hanging on a bar whenever you have time. Or you should start engaging in activities, like swimming, basketball, or cycling.
Absorbing vitamin D from sunlight
The truth is, vitamin D is the unique one we do not get enough of. But do you know by only exposing your skin to sunlight and then everything will be solved? When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it helps makes vitamin D from cholesterol. Wear a tank top and shorts, and try going without sunscreen for about the first 10-30 minutes, depending on how sensitive your skin is to sunlight. Then apply sunscreen before your skin starts burning. Besides, do not forget to wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes and face.
Sleeping properly
Not getting enough sleep might bring an impact on a person’s growth because growth hormone is generally secreted when sleeping, this is the case. If your children obtain too little sleep on a regular basis, known as sleep deprivation, growth hormone will be reduced.
Teens at 16 are advised to sleep between 8 and 10 hours every night to stimulate the production of growth hormones and allow the body to relax and grow.
Getting rid of bad habits
Certain habits might stunt your growth for sure. For instance,
Nicotine, which makes smokers feel good and energetic in a short period, can affect growth hormone production. Badly, smoking frequently boosts the amount of carbon dioxide in the body, which blocks the supply of oxygen through the cells and body tissues.
Although there is no evidence relating to caffeine consumption and growth stunning, drinking coffee too late may keep you awake for a long time, and you cannot get to sleep on time.
Controlling body weight
The average weight for 16-year-old girls and boys is 118 lbs (53.52 kg) and 134 lbs (60.78 kg). But gaining weight to the point of obesity might lead to health problems. With an extra body weight, gravity may press the intervertebral discs and leave you with a short frame. Moreover, if the body weight continues increasing, it puts extra pressure on the bones and joints, making you appear shorter.
Avoid consuming too much salt and sugar
Salt and sugar are two vital spices in cooking, but overusing them may stunt your children’s growth.
The body needs a small amount of salt to support different functions. However, too much salt will cause calcium loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke. It is similar to consuming too many sugary foods. If the tummy is full of sugar, it cannot stuff any good and healthy foods for proper growth.
The recommended amount of salt and sugar for teens at this age is less than about 1 teaspoon of salt (6 g) and no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar (25 g) per day.
Maintaining good posture
Text neck, hunched shoulders, and curved spine may make you appear shorter than your real height. And if you continue maintaining these postures, the curves will change to adapt to your new posture, causing pain in the neck and back. So, when you have to sit all day long in front of the computer, put a pillow on the back to correct the posture. Or when scrolling through your phone or iPad, remember to take a break and check your posture. Or do some exercises to improve your posture.
Dressing smartly
Putting on fitted and properly-sized clothes helps focus on the lines of the body. Avoid wearing baggy clothes because they just make you look shorter and smaller. If you want to look tall and slim, the best choice is to opt for some darker shades like dark blue, forest green, and black. Clothes with vertical stripes are also a good way to make you appear taller.
In closing
As we come to the end of this discussion, it's important to recognize that once the growth plates in our bones close, our vertical growth comes to a halt. Typically, girls tend to reach their full height between the ages of 14 and 16, while boys experience this growth spurt a bit later, typically between 16 and 18 years of age. However, it's crucial to remember that there are ways to enhance posture and appear taller, regardless of whether growth plates have closed or not.
For those who are still in their growth phase, optimizing nutrition, considering appropriate supplements, ensuring adequate and restful sleep, and engaging in regular exercise can significantly contribute to achieving their maximum potential height. So, even if growth plates have sealed, there are proactive steps that can be taken to stand tall and confident
