Do we shrink as we age?

yes we can.

Loss of cartilidge in joints contributes to almost 2 inches in some people


thinning bones cause a 'slump', or a bow, that when measured over the entire body can be as much as 3 inches.

I should clarify...

those 2 issues are almost always found in 'ageing' people. and is why alot of people seem to lose height as they get older.

Cool, thanks do you have an generalized approximation on when people start shrinking?

Oh yeah how about when we're young or lifting heavy things to school like our knapsack... can this affect our growth in height? I would guess yes...

Sorry for my previous message I meant at what age?

I read something about this a long time ago...so grain of salt here...

At thirty, the bones begin to become much denser, so no matter what you do you will gain roughly a pound per year. This goes on to around the age of 50 - 55, then it begins to reverse itself, so I'd say it would be around that time that the shrinkage would begin.

Of course those are average numbers...and I'm sure it varies greatly among different "types" of people....naturally thin, medium, or big boned, as well as the career, how much you excersise..etc.

My mom was 5'11 at 16 years old, she's in her early 50's now, and I've noticed in the last few years she just isn't as tall anymore.

do you know how tall she is now though?

Eh, maybe 5'9 1/2 - 5'10.

Do we shrink as we age?
Well, spinal discs tend to move close to each other which accounts for a certain amount of growing shorter.

Probably arthritis contributes, too, if it forces a person to stand up less straight.

2P is right.

there is no certain age for anyone or any body type.
some people can have these side effects as early as thier teens.. some , never.

Cool, thanks. Other webpages said 40's/50's of course just generalization though.

Anyways, just wondering if a person is average and finally decides to (19/20 yrs. old) start exercising and "bulking" (becoming strong and muscular) and he grows taller to say 6'0" do you guys think he could've grown up to 6'0" even if he didn't exercise at all?

I wouldn't think that exercise would make one taller - broader because more muscular, but you height is your height & I doubt that anything could enhance that except high heels.

Cool, thanks.

As far as I know there is not much you can do to affect height, proper diet, exercise, adequate supply of vitamins and minerals...the usual...might not do anything at all, but they won't hurt either.

I know at one time they were trying different things for children that were not growing properly. I have not followed that up, so I don't know if they decided that was all just bs or if there was anything to it or not. In most things of that nature, you have as many doctors agreeing as you do debunking the ideas...so who knows.

Exercise will help keep the body straight, and being straight at least lends to the appearance of of being taller. The abs are not there just for showing off, they are part of our support structure, pot bellies and even large bossoms tend to cause back problems...aches in most cases...not to mention slouching and slumping.

Cowboy boots will gain you an inch or two. :wink:

Yes, there are injections for adding growth to children, but I believe they are only useful if the child is abnormally short (i'm not talking about dwarfism), and can't be given until the child is a teenager.

I doubt any doctor would give these injections to a young person who wanted to be just a little bit taller. And I doubt they would do anything for an adult.

When I was a kid, and I saw elderly people, I thought that many of them were short, because they did not have the vitamins that we have tody!

Anyhow, we do shrink as we get older. As the spaces between the vertebral discs contract, it takes away from a person's height. How much is dependent on the condition of the person's vetebral column.

In my case, I have shrunk a couple of inches, since I was at my greatest height, when I was a teenager. I also have a lousy back!

I noticed that my father shrunk too... maybe my mom too... then as always for the longest of times I know they've always been short.

Both are 50+ years old

Pops was 5'11" now 5'9.5"/5'10"
Mom was 5'3" now 5'2"

Well I guess even if I do shrink I'll always be taller than 6'0"

Nah, I'm just playin I know that's nothing special.

Oh no, I'm not looking for any means or ways to grow. I know it's purely heriditary/genetics.

What do you guys think though swimming might help you become taller? (if you're still growing)

Yoga/streching? (if you're still growing)

Nah, I don't think neither of them are true. What do you guys think though?

"It's genetics man." (Bart Simpson)