5 signs that you have stopped growing

Determining whether your children have reached their adult stature can be a thoughtful process. Here are five significant signs to help you ascertain if they have indeed ceased growing:

1. Noticeable Growth Deceleration: If you observe a significant slowdown in their growth rate over the past one to two years, it might indicate that they are approaching the end of their growth phase.

2. Complete Development of Secondary Hair: The full development of public and underarm hair is a clear sign that their bodies are progressing towards adulthood. This is an indicator that they may have reached their final height.

3. Stagnant Shoe Size: When your child's shoe size remains consistent and does not change, it is often a strong indicator that their feet have ceased growing, reflecting overall growth stabilization.

4. Adult-Like Stature: As they near the end of their growth spurt, you may notice that their physical stature appears more adult-like and less child-like. Their proportions and body shape will start to resemble that of an adult.

5. Onset of Menstruation (for Girls): In the case of girls, the onset of menstruation within the last one to two years is a significant milestone indicating the transition from childhood to adolescence. This event signals that their bodies are entering the final stages of growth and development.

Understanding these signs can assist you in recognizing when your children are likely reaching their adult height, allowing you to support their physical and emotional development during this transformative phase of life

Factors affecting height growth

Genetics

That said, your genes are the main factor that determines how tall you will be. Also, such genetics can change based on region and ethnicity. So, if parents are taller or shorter than average, their children may be around the same height. But in case they have one tall and one short parent, their height will be somewhere in between.

Nutrition

Nutrition also plays an important factor in kids’ height. Developed countries have witnessed gaining height in their populations due to their greater access to food and health care. Meanwhile, poor nutrition during childhood might contribute to a shorter average stature.

Weight

If your daughter is overweight or has above-average body fat, she might go through puberty earlier. On the contrary, having too little body fat or being underweight (a common thing for active children or young athletes) can delay puberty.

Sleep

When sleeping, the body releases growth hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones, which are necessary for the proper growth of bones. If you do not get enough sleep, this might stunt your growth.

Gender

Girls tend to grow quicker than boys at the same age since they enter puberty about 2 years earlier. But boys have larger growth spurts after all. This leads to adult men being about 5 inches taller than adult women.

Health conditions

The pituitary and thyroid glands help control hormones related to the beginning of puberty. If the pituitary gland is not performing correctly or your children’s thyroid levels are low, their bodies might not produce enough hormones to cause significant growth spurts.

Also, other health conditions and chronic illnesses can lead to stunted growth, including,

• Turner syndrome

• Down syndrome

• Russell-Silver syndrome

• Achondroplasia

• Cystic fibrosis

• Inflammatory bowel disease

Medications

A study found that the medication used to treat ADHD for 410 kids between the age of 0.9 to 16.1 resulted in a temporary pause in an increase in weight and height. Even after finishing taking medication, kids still had not caught up with their predicted growth [1].

Ways to improve height growth

Have a balanced diet

If you think that consuming superfoods might make you become a starting center in the NBA, you are wrong. To grow well, following proper nutrition is a must.

• Eat more fruits and veggies and lean proteins, and limit processed foods, refined sugars, and saturated fats.

• Focus on particular nutrients, like calcium for strengthening bones.

• Supplement other essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, zinc, and niacin for supporting the body’s growth and development.

Work out regularly

It is best to follow a healthy exercise regimen that includes aerobic workouts and strength training instead of focusing on exercises that claim to help you grow taller. Perform at least 30 minutes to 1 hour per day to keep you feeling and looking good. Try hanging, skipping, squatting, cycling, swimming, or doing some stretches to support height growth effectively.

Sleep well

As mentioned above, the human body releases necessary growth hormones during sleep. So, the deeper and more restful sleep you get, the better chance you maximize your genetic height potential. Growing teens need to strive for eight to ten hours of sleep for their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Below are some healthy sleep tips to help your children get better sleep.

• Set a consistent pre-bed routine to relax them, allowing them to fall asleep quickly.

• Avoid energy drinks or caffeine, especially in the evening.

• Avoid using electronic devices for at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

• Prepare the best mattress and pillow for a good night’s sleep.

• Keep the bedroom quiet, cool, and dark.

Go out for sunlight

Exposure to sunlight is the best way to synthesize vitamin D, which is a vital nutrient for bone health and growth. While going out, make sure to expose an adequate amount of skin to get the best result; for example, wear shorts and a tank top. Another consideration is if your kids have darker skin, they need to spend more under the sun.

Consider dietary supplements for height growth

Some height-boosting supplements are supposed to help a person get taller since they are stuffed with good nutrients for strengthening bones as well as supporting overall health. But not all include any scientifically-proven ingredients and might have dangerous chemicals. It is necessary to do thorough research before trying any product that claims to improve height since once your growth plates are closed, you cannot grow taller anymore.

Boost self-esteem

Whether your children are short or tall, you should help them feel self-confident about their appearance.

If you recognize they eat more or less food or avoid having photos taken, they might feel anxious about their look and possibly have a body image problem. As parents, you need to show them your support as well as explain the changes they will experience during puberty. It is important not to body shame yourself in front of them as well. The best thing is to work with them to find admiration for all that the body does for us and discuss how to care for it every day.

In conclusion,

Monitoring a child's growth rate serves as a critical gauge to assess their healthy development. For instance, when a child's weight gain surpasses their height growth, it could signal a potential risk of overweight or obesity. Conversely, if their weight fails to keep pace with their height, a physician may need to investigate the underlying reasons for inadequate weight gain.

While genetics undoubtedly plays a significant role in determining a person's height, it's essential not to overlook the influence of other factors mentioned earlier. These factors also contribute significantly to a child's height, particularly during their formative years of growth.

• Related post: Does Walking Increase Height?