Compared to some of her peers, my daughter stands shorter—like she’s in a group with northern Europeans. When compared to others, my daughter towers over them—like she’s looking back at grade school kids. My daughter is somewhere in the middle and while she eats well, sleeps well and swims exceedingly well, she asked me this question to know if she’s done growing. “Given your current height now and if you stopped growing and if you wear a pair of 3-inch heels, you’ll be 5’7” or 5’8” (170cm or more). That’s not short! And you’re only 13 years-old,” I said.

Children generally stop growing after puberty. For girls, puberty ends roughly around 15. Boys, 17. It is when the end of the bone, the growing tissue, hardens that the elongation of the bones will cease. While health and diet will play a major role in growth, heredity has a lot to do with it too. My side of the family tend to be at or above average in height. Her mom’s side are a little petite but not noticeably shorter than others.

“Why are you asking?” I just want to know if I am going to grow more or not. My feet have stopped growing in size and many of my clothes still fit. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. You’re healthy and you stay fit. And you’re not done growing yet. Hunger will dictate growth spurts. Just do what your body tells you.”

 

Hunger will dictate growth spurts. Just do what your body tells you.”

 

Then I inquired about her psychology on the matter. “Do you feel you are too tall or short?” She pondered momentarily and then said, No, I’m happy where I am even if I don’t grow anymore. That’s a positive attitude. “So, you aren’t necessarily comparing, relative to your peers, but just want to know if there’s more to go or not.” Yeah. “The truth of the matter is that I don’t know. There are charts and predictors and all sorts of tales. Nobody knows but I know both your parents have good genes.”

“Listen,” I said, “This discussion is purely academic since there’s no disease, medication or other trauma. You’ve been charted since you were an infant and your last visit showed you were healthy and on track. In fact, you stood taller than you own pediatrician! You’ll turn out fine and there’s nothing to worry about.” I think she just wanted some confirmation. This must have been a discussion topic with her peers as the topic suddenly came up.

But for parents who want to know more, it’s best to stay positive and know that the journey isn’t over at the age of 13. The best guarantor for good health is good nutrition. If there is medication involved, it should be managed by the attending physician. Barring anything else, physical prominence is supplemented by psychological confidence. There are a great many individuals who stand tall irrespective of their stature.