Yes, it happens. Height comes from many genes on both sides of the family, and every child gets their own mix. It's a question many parents wonder about, whether they would describe themselves as short or are simply curious.
The short answer is yes, children can grow to be tall even when their parents are not. Read on to find out how.
Can short parents have tall children?
We all know that many of our physical traits are inherited from our parents, and height is one of them. Our genes play a big part in how tall we become.
At the same time, a child's height isn't a simple average of mom and dad. Height is shaped by hundreds of genes, and some come from grandparents, aunts and uncles through the family line. That is why you may know kids who end up well above their parents' height.
So if you have wondered whether your future child will share your height, here is some good news: every child inherits their own unique mix of genes, and everyday nutrition, sleep and activity also support healthy growth.
What about genetics?
So, if short parents can have a tall kid, what happens to genetics? Yes, most of everything we are, is gotten from our parents. From our skin color, hair color and texture, body build, eye color, gait, even allergies, they can all be passed down to us by our parents. And yes! A person’s height can be inherited from his or her parents.
Frequently, the norm is tall kids from tall parents and short kids from short parents. Why? That’s because genetics is a major player in an individual’s height. However, this doesn’t happen all the time.
Height is a polygenic trait, which means it is influenced by many genes rather than one. Each parent passes on a different combination of these genes, including some that may not show in the parent's own height. Simple dominant and recessive traits are a helpful way to picture this: a parent can carry a gene variant without expressing it, and pass it on to a child who does.
In the same way, two parents of shorter stature can each pass on gene variants linked to greater height, and their child may grow to be tall.
What about other factors?
As mentioned earlier, genes are not the only factor. Twin studies estimate that about 60 to 80 percent of the differences in height between people are explained by genetic factors. The rest is linked to environmental factors, particularly nutrition.
Nutrition
Healthy growth starts even before birth. During pregnancy, eating calcium-rich foods supports the development of strong and healthy bones in the baby.
Diet matters throughout childhood. Studies in children who were not getting enough food have found that improving calorie and nutrient intake helped them grow closer to their potential, a reminder of how important regular, balanced meals are during the growing years (source).
In infancy, breastfeeding and introducing solid foods at around six months, as pediatric guidelines recommend, support healthy early growth (source).
Growth spurts take place during puberty, when the body's needs for nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, potassium and magnesium are especially high. Meeting those needs supports normal growth within each child's genetic potential.
Follow our 4 tips to encourage healthy eating habits for your kids.
Exercise
Exercise is important to your children's growth and health because it makes them stronger and more agile. Physical activity such as sports builds strong bones and muscles and supports healthy development.
Encourage your children to be active for at least an hour a day. Basketball, volleyball, swimming, jumping rope, jogging and badminton are all great options. Active play supports strong bones, good posture and overall health.
Sleep
Much of the body's daily growth hormone is released during deep sleep, which is one reason sleep matters for growing kids.
Thus, parents are encouraged to ensure their children go to bed early and get enough sleep. They are also encouraged to develop and teach their children good sleep hygiene habits to facilitate good and deep sleep.
What's the take-home?
It is entirely possible for relatively short parents to have a tall child. Genetics plays a major role, and everyday habits like good nutrition, enough sleep and regular activity help every child grow well. Here are 6 foods that support growing bodies, and you can follow your child's growth over time with our growth percentile calculator.
References
Can What You Eat Affect Your Height? LIVESTRONG Web Site. Retrieved from: https://www.livestrong.com
How much of human height is genetic and how much is due to nutrition? (2006). Scientific American Website. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/
Pender, R.R. (2011). Recessive Trait. Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/
Sources
- Silventoinen K, et al. Heritability of adult body height: a comparative study of twin cohorts in eight countries. Twin Res. 2003;6(5):399-408. doi:10.1375/136905203770326402. doi.org/10.1375/136905203770326402
- Tanner JM, Goldstein H, Whitehouse RH. Standards for children's height at ages 2-9 years allowing for height of parents. Arch Dis Child. 1970;45(244):755-762. doi:10.1136/adc.45.244.755. doi.org/10.1136/adc.45.244.755
