In recent years, one of the frequently discussed topics in society is children's height growth and height differences. Parents are concerned: some direct their children towards sports, while others rely on various vitamins and “height-increasing” products.
AzEdu.az spoke with pediatrician Shalala Polukhova on the topic.
The interview discussed genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors determining children's height, the role of nutrition and physical activity, as well as key points parents should pay attention to.
- Ms. Shalala, what is the extent of the influence of genetic and environmental factors on height development?
- Let's start with genetic factors. Generally, when discussing factors affecting a child's height, it is important to note that genetic factors play a significant role. Although genetic factors are not the sole cause, they are the primary cause, and the height of the child's mother and father, the parents' height, is a factor that determines the child's genetic target height.
However, it cannot be said that height depends solely on genetic factors. While genetics determines a child's maximum potential height, there are other factors that influence whether the child reaches this potential or falls short of it.
What is meant by other factors? Particularly, a child's hormonal balance, growth hormone levels, environment, co-occurring diseases and infections, sleep regimen, daily lifestyle, physical activity, and nutritional habits are very important. All these factors together play a significant role in a child's height. As I mentioned, genetics plays a primary role in a child reaching their potential height or falling short of it.
- Why do children from the same parents have different heights, and why does height growth stop earlier in girls?
- The reason for this is that even if they are born from the same parents, each child receives their own individual genetic combination. These combinations determine the child's height. Moreover, height is determined not by a single gene but by several genes, which is why height differences can be observed in children.
In girls, puberty generally starts earlier. The growth plates in the bones, meaning the closure points of the cartilages, close earlier in girls. Therefore, sexual development occurs earlier in girls, and since height growth also stops sooner, a height difference can arise compared to boys.
In boys, this process starts later and continues for a longer period. This is also related to hormonal changes, particularly the effect of estrogen on the closure points in the bones.
Furthermore, nutritional conditions are also important. Environmental factors, such as growing up in a village or city, or living in a low- or high-income country, also affect height growth. Socio-economic factors are included in such cases.
A child's overall health is also crucial. Chronic diseases, infections, and hormonal balance problems (e.g., growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism) can hinder height growth.
In such cases, it is important for the child to be regularly monitored by a pediatrician and endocrinologist and kept under constant supervision.
- What is the role of nutrition in a child's height growth, and which foods affect their development?
- Nutrition is very important for a child's height growth. While genetics determines a child's maximum potential, balanced and adequate nutrition is crucial for reaching that potential.
One can talk about fast food and processed products, but the main point is that a child should eat properly not only for height growth but also for overall health and physical development.
This means that a child should consume enough protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. There is no special “miracle” product; a child's height will not instantly increase. The main thing is for the child to have the opportunity to reach their genetic potential through balanced nutrition. This probability decreases in children who consume fast food.
- Parents often give their children foods like carrots and beets for height growth.
- Vegetables such as carrots and beets must be included in a child's daily diet. These vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and play an important role in the nutrition of a healthy child. Additionally, seasonal fruits and vegetables should also be in the diet.
But it should not be forgotten that there is no such thing as a child's height immediately increasing just by eating carrots. These foods are important as part of the daily diet for a child's overall health and physical development.
If a child eats a balanced, home-prepared diet, away from fast food, their chance of reaching their genetic potential is higher. Otherwise, fast food, packaged foods, sugary and carbonated drinks can reduce a child's height growth.
- Sometimes, to promote a child's height growth, people use sports or vitamins and pastes claimed to be height-increasing. Do these methods truly have an effect?
-A specific paste has no medically and scientifically proven effect on increasing a child's height. A child who eats normally and healthily, has a regular lifestyle, is physically active, and sleeps properly reaches their genetic potential.
Physical activity strengthens a child's bones and muscles. Sports like basketball and volleyball can have a positive effect on height growth, but this effect is not significant.
In other words, no single factor determines a child's height. Sports are beneficial for a child's health and physical development, but it is not correct to expect height to miraculously increase solely through sports.
- What should parents do if they notice a delay in height growth?
- If a delay in height growth is observed in children, for example, if a drop in percentiles is seen during a routine pediatrician examination, the first step is definitely an examination by a pediatrician and a pediatric endocrinologist. The child should be referred to an endocrinologist, and timely intervention should be made.
The main goal is to ensure the child reaches their genetic height potential before sexual development begins and before the ossification points close. Balanced nutrition is very important here. It is not correct to determine height solely by looking at genetics. Sufficient calories, protein, calcium, vitamins, and trace elements help the child reach their maximum potential.
Sleep also plays an important role in height growth, as growth hormone is secreted during sleep at certain hours. Going to bed early is important for the normal secretion of growth hormone. Going to bed late can lead to insufficient secretion of growth hormone and, consequently, reduced height growth.
No paste, special vitamin, or cutting out fast food alone will increase a child's height. Supplements may only be beneficial if the child has a serious nutritional deficiency, vitamin deficiency, or malnutrition. In healthy children, these supplements do not directly affect height growth.
Sports are also beneficial, but it is not correct to think that a child's height will increase solely through sports, for example, by playing basketball. Height growth is influenced by nutrition, hormonal balance, environmental, and genetic factors combined.
