How can I get taller?

[chatanga]

5 ft 8" is fine. when i saw the heading of this topic i was thinking you was going to say you were 4 ft 11" or something.

Is this topic another reason why Sikh heritage is vanishing ?

[VanHelsingh]

@ simranpreetsingh - Don't worry about your height if you're still around 15 or 16 years of age. I was around 5 ft 8 from the age of 12 to 15, but shot up to 6 ft 3 by the time I was 18. I stopped growing at 23 (I think) so there's a lot of time! Go all out on the milk, yogurt, etc., if you're a vegetarian. Although I haven't any empirical proof I'm sure it doesn't hurt your chances.

[Jangal Da]

Height is not just genetic, the ratio varies by ethnicity and there are both extremes.

Also, jangal da that is not true what you said about the same; many european nations experienced a 6 inch or more increase in average male height (esp.) after developing and having better food.

A perfect example for today, is south koreans who have parents who were poor and on average below 5 6 grow to be 5 10 - 6 ft. in Canada simply due to better nutrition.

You are correct in terms of a better standard of living in the last century has boosted the heights of some people - specifically the Dutch who ethnically are amongst the tallest in the Western world now. However this is by virtue of their genetic potential that has been optomised with good nutrition, less childhood disease exposure and less childhood stress.

[Jangal Da]

Actually weight lifting that causes spinal compression can stunt the growth in some individuals to some extent!!!

This is not just a myth, but it has been proven !

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/phys-ed-the-benefits-of-weight-training-for-kids/

[luckysingh99]

I had a feeling that you would give a quote that proves the contrary and there are many of these out there !!

However, let me just explain what I am specifically talking about.-

It's not bicep curls or chest pressing but just one thing in particular which is Overhead Powerlifting !

This overhead lifting causes spinal compression when too much weight is lifted, but how is a power lifter going to improve if they don't attempt weights that they can just about manage ??

---This is where the problem arises. Now the studies and data all show that if overhead lifting is done properly in full form then there is no problem.-this I agree with !

But when you start upping your weights then you will come to a point of ''max', at this stage you won't be in proper form and there will be damage done to the spinal growth plates.

NOTE- it has nothing to due with affecting growth hormone or other pituitary inbalances

We have had many young teens that only focused on lifting overhead weights and power lifting for competitions and it is these kinds that help spread the myths of weight lifting stunting growth.

Maybe my comment came across a little incorrect in terms of weight lifting in general as I did have this particular movement in mind when stating.

[Singh97]

I'm vegetarian, does that affect anything?

[kds1980]

Strength training (weights) will not stunt your growth. Your height is genetically determined and diet plays only a minor role (extremes of diet can affect height eg childhood chronic malnutrition). Humans follow a fairly distinct model of growth. Basically look at a string of men or women through different generations in a family. Most children will be a similar height or taller than their same sex parent. This is until a zenith occurs and then you see a child who grows up to be quite somewhat smaller than the same sex parent a generation later. Hence our heights across generations tend to remain modal.

Not fully true , Average Dutch man was measured at 5-4.5 inches tall in 1830 s, now they are on an average 6 feet 1 inches tall. Japanese are on average much taller than there grand parents.of second world war.There are plenty of countries in world where people are much taller what they were in 80-90 years ago.

[Jangal Da]

I had a feeling that you would give a quote that proves the contrary and there are many of these

I agree with your points. Maxing out weights is not for kids, nor are exercises where axial compressive forces could damage the spine. I would not let my kids do that.

[VanHelsingh]

I'm vegetarian, does that affect anything?

I wouldn't think so. Like I said I'm vege and not eating meat, eggs, etc., hasn't stunted my growth.

As long as vegetarian doesn't mean killing the chips and pizza, because that isn't going to help anyone! Get some fresh fruit and veg into your diet, as well as the aforementioned milk and yogurt if you're not suffering from any dairy allergies. Some consistent exercise might be beneficial. I've always found the more svelte somebody is the taller they look; the more rounder they are the closer to the ground they appear, lol.

At the end of the day I wouldn't worry too much about height. It's a shame your parents have raised this issue, and you've been made to feel inadequate. Don't worry about it. There's no lack of short girls in the Sikh quom so you aren't going to be left on the shelf when it comes to marriage!

[Singh97]

At the end of the day I wouldn't worry too much about height. It's a shame your parents have raised this issue, and you've been made to feel inadequate. Don't worry about it. There's no lack of short girls in the Sikh quom so you aren't going to be left on the shelf when it comes to marriage!

lol marriage was what they were concerned about, for the past few weeks all they've been saying is " tainu rishta nahi labna". I feel fine at this height, but they want me to be at least 6 feet.