Height is something most of us consider ourselves pops and at least once in our lives. Be it anticipating the height one might attain or quite simply, the whole ‘why is everyone in my family roughly the same height’ phenomenon, genetics has a huge role to play here.
Let’s explore the areas that genetics governs when it comes to the most sought-after genetic composition of our body and the other factors that determine how tall we will stand all in all.
Genic Influences On the Height
Gens are a physical structure inherited from parents that holds the directions for the child’s body creation. Simply put, genes are akin to a compilation of ‘instructions’ that are responsible for the growth of a human.
With regards to height, there is no such thing as a single „Height Gene”. Rather a co-holding of hundreds of genes responsible for height achievements.
One gene is inherited from an entire parent and as a combination of genes differs, so do people’s heights. If both parents are tall, there is a greater likelihood that the children will be tall as well.
However this is not an infallible law: in other cases, some children become taller than all parents or on the contrary, almost all known for a host of genes that are different from other children.
Familial Trends And Their Inheritance On Height
Take a glance at the family again. What do you see? It could be that every relative in the family is endowed with height or one is born among a family of average height. Such patterns occur due to the family traits that have been inherited over centuries.
It is important to note that height cannot be acquired from just one parent. You are likely to be gifted with height-related genes from both sides of the family. This means that even if your mother and father are short parents, you can still end up being taller than them if your extended family has tall people.
To What Extent Does Height Depend on Genetics?
Researchers suggest that around 60-80% of height is determined by genetic factors. This suggests that genetically one is the dominant factor, but not the only one. 20-40% remaining is due to other factors such as diet, exercise, and general health.
To illustrate, siblings who have the same genes can be of different heights, perhaps because they eat different diets or have different lifestyle habits. This is where the environment can also be said to be an important factor when considering how tall an individual can grow.
Other Factors That Influence One’s Height
Genetics may define the “structure” or the “profile” of a human body’s height, however, other factors may have their contributions as well.
Nutrition
The body requires the correct nutrients for a growing body to reach its optimal.” Giving bones proper nutrition would allow them to grow strong and healthy which is required for children.
Children and adolescents who do not have sufficient nutrients in their systems may end up being of lesser height than they were biologically engineered to be.
- Physical Activity
Staying active helps strengthen bones and muscles. Activities like running, jumping, and other sports support healthy growth. Exercise also encourages good posture, which helps us stand tall. - Sleep
Sleep is important for growth, especially during the teenage years. Growth hormones are most active while we’re asleep, helping our bones and muscles grow. - Health and Illness
Some health conditions can affect growth. For example, certain chronic illnesses or hormone imbalances might slow down growth. Getting regular check-ups can help ensure that any growth-related issues are spotted early.
Myths About Genetics and Height
- “If My Parents Are Short, I Can’t Be Tall”
While genetics plays a big role, kids can sometimes be taller or shorter than their parents. This is because genes can be passed down from grandparents and other relatives, not just parents. - “Height Comes Only from One Parent”
Height is determined by a combination of genes from both parents, so it’s not just one parent’s height that matters. Both sides of the family contribute to a person’s genetic potential. - “Genes Stop Working After a Certain Age”
Genes don’t just switch off, but the age when growth stops depends on when a person’s growth plates close, usually around the late teens or early twenties. After this, height is generally set.
Final Thoughts
Height is a mix of genetics, lifestyle, and environment. While we can’t control the genes we’re born with, we can focus on healthy habits, like eating well, staying active, and getting enough rest, to reach our full height potential.
Genetics might set the foundation, but taking care of our bodies helps us grow to be the best version of ourselves.
