Height is largely due to genetics. Once a person reaches adulthood and stops growing, eating certain foods will not make them any taller. During years of growth and development, however, good nutrition can help a person reach their full height and support their body in growing and developing healthily.
This article will look at certain foods that may help support growth and development. It will also discuss some other factors that may play a role in healthy growth.
When a person is growing, their bones continue to grow in length until the end of puberty. Bones have growth plates called epiphyses.
As a person reaches the end of puberty, these growth plates fuse together, and the person stops growing.
Some factors that influence how tall a person will be include:
Genetics: Genes largely determine how tall a person is. According to some research, genetics contribute about 80% to a person’s height.
Sex: One 2017 article notes that females typically stop growing by the time puberty ends. Males typically reach their final height at 18 years old.
Hormones: The body produces hormones that can affect a person’s growth.
Learn more about which factors influence a person’s height here.
Once a person reaches adulthood, they will not get any taller. However, good nutrition and overall health during growth and development in childhood and adolescence may play a part in how tall a person becomes.
Is it possible for children?
Aside from genetics, certain environmental factors can affect height. These include nutrition, exercise, sleep, and illness.
Eating a balanced diet plays an essential role in growth and development during childhood. In fact, according to one 2016 study, nutrition is the most important lifestyle factor that affects height.
Eggs
Eggs contain many nutrients that are important in growth and development.
One large whole egg containsTrusted Source:
24.1 milligrams (mg) of calcium
6.24 grams (g) of protein
1.24 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D
35.7 mcg of folate
0.513 mcg of vitamin B12
According to some 2015 research, deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate may lead to poor growth in children.
A 2017 study in Ecuador looked at the effects of eating eggs as a young child. Children aged 6–9 months consumed one egg per day for 6 months.
Compared with the control group, the group that ate eggs showed significant improvements in linear growth and a decrease in stunted growth.
Dairy
Calcium is essential for growing bones and the development of the skeleton.
