Does Height Matter? Factors that can Affect Your Child’s Height

Just like any individual adult, kids can come in all shapes and sizes — tall or short, chubby round or pencil thin. And these shape and sizes become more evident once they start school or socializing with other kids. Like adults, kids too want acceptance. They want to fit in with their classmates so they can be included in the activities and games they play. But being the tallest or shortest one in the class could pose a bit of a problem when it comes to fitting in — with the latter one more prone to get the short end of the stick (pun intended).

On one end of the spectrum, tall kids might get teased about their height but the spare inches can give them advantages as well. They are prone to be the prime choices for certain kids games and even sports (think basketball or even volleyball). And as they “seem” bigger than other kids thanks to their height, are less likely to be bullied. On the other hand, short kids do not get as many benefits. Yes, their height can also give them advantages in certain games such as hide and seek. But they can also be on the receiving end of tactless jokes and treatment from kids and even adults alike.

Should you be worried about your child’s height? The only way to answer this question is to understand the factors that could affect a child’s height. These factors include:

Gender

One big factor that can obviously affect the overall height a child will grow to be is his gender. Generally, girls will grow to heights a bit shorter than boys. Although this might not always be the case as there are instances wherein female kids grow taller than male kids, even if they are siblings. Most of the time, a child will grow into a height somewhere between that of his/her mom’s and dad’s. It’s a bit common for a female child to grow taller than her mom if her dad is also tall, and a male child to grow shorter than his dad if his mom is a bit short. So if your little girl is shorter than her boy classmates, don’t fret so much, as the height difference can be attributed to their gender.

Genes

A child’s genetic makeup is made up of the DNA he/she receives from both his/her mother and father during the time of conception. To put it simply, your child can inherit a certain set of traits from your partner and his family and another set of traits from you and your family. Your child might look so much like his/her dad but gets his/her chill attitude from you. Although such simple attribution in genetic makeup might not always be the case. Most of the time, a child’s genes will meld together seamlessly that it is almost impossible to attribute each trait to any parent. This is especially true if the parents themselves share similar traits as well in terms of general appearance. So if you and your husband and both sets of grandparents are of average built, then perhaps don’t expect your child to be one of the tallest in his/her class.

Physical exercise

Physical exercise or physical activity is important for a child’s growth and development. Without it, kids might fall victim to childhood obesity. At the same time, lack of proper exercise might also affect his/her height as his/her bones and muscles would not be strong enough to support his/her full potential. So it is best to always encourage and support your kids to play outside and even engage in different sports so that they can get the exercise they need.

Nutrition

Along with the genetic factors, another important factor is a child’s nutrition and diet. While proper nutrition might not allow kids to grow taller than what his/her genes have predetermined, but the lack of it might hinder kids to reach his/her full height potential. Studies have also found that malnourished children can “catch up” with proper nutrition. Simply put, we need to ensure that our kids get a well-balanced diet that includes food that’s low in saturated fats, sugar content, and sodium, and yet rich in essential vitamins and minerals. You can do this by preparing and providing them with delicious yet nutritious dishes that include green, leafy vegetables, and even meats.

Another way to ensure this especially for moms who are dealing with picky-eater kids is to give them a glass of Pediasure Plus every day. Pediasure Plus is a complete, balanced nutritional supplement with Triple Protein Complex made especially for children above 3 years old. It is clinically proven to help kids achieve visible growth in just 8 weeks, contains 40% more energy nutrients compared to other toddler formula milk in the market, and contains Synbiotics — a special combination of prebiotics and probiotics (good bacteria) that helps reduce sick days.

Busy moms can now easily get their child’s Pediasure Plus anytime, anywhere, thanks to Lazada. Just sign up, log in, and cart your child’s milk via the Lazada site or Lazada app and Pediasure Plus will be delivered straight to your doorsteps. Definitely a big help for mamas!

*Always seek the direct advice of a medical professional for any health issues or concerns. Plus, the use of any milk products for children 3 years old and up should always be upon the recommendation of your Pediatrician. 

Published with Pediasure Plus.

*References: Health Guidance, LiveStrong