Medical News Today: What factors influence a person's height?

A person’s DNA is the main factor that influences their height. However, other factors, including hormones, health conditions, and nutrition, can influence how tall a person grows during development.Scientists believe a person’s DNA is responsible for up to 90% of their adult 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.The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.How to increase height during developmentShare on PinterestPeople cannot control or change their DNA, which has the most influence on their adult height.However, people may be able to influence the following factors, which may increase or reduce growth during childhood and puberty.Nutrition in childhoodNutrition plays an important role in growth. Children without good nutrition may not be as tall as children with adequate nutrition.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children need 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.Protein and calcium are particularly important for bone health and growth. Some protein-rich foods include:meatpoultryseafoodeggslegumesnuts and seedsdairy productstofuvegetables high in protein, such as spinach, asparagus, and collard greensDairy products tend to be rich in calcium.Nutrition in pregnancyEnsuring good nutrition during pregnancy is also important for the bone health and growth of the fetus.Pregnant people may need to increase their intake of certain vitamins and minerals, such as folate, iron, and vitamin D.People can speak with a healthcare professional for more advice on what they should and should not eat during pregnancy.Getting enough sleepSleep promotes growth and development in children and teenagers. During deep sleep, the body releases the hormones it needs to grow. Getting enough sleep may therefore encourage optimal growth.Not getting enough sleep over a long period may interfere with a person’s growth, cause other health problems, and impair a child’s ability to focus, learn, and participate in life.»Learn more:How much sleep do you need?Regular exerciseRegular exercise is important for proper physical development, as it supports the health of bones and muscle tissues.For instance, playing outside or playing sports can make bones denser and stronger. Exercise is beneficial for everyone, including growing children and pregnant people.What unchangeable factors affect height?The following factors affect how tall someone may be at various points of their development.AgeBabies and children grow continuously.