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My Son Wants to Grow Taller - What Can I Tell Him?
My son is 16 and about 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He keeps asking if there's anything he can do to become taller.
– Chris
Taking care of himself — eating well, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest — is the best way to help his body reach its natural potential. But assuming his diet is normal and he has no medical problems, there's no magic pill or formula or nutritional supplement for increasing height. In fact, his genes are the major determinant of how tall he'll be.
Most teens can expect to grow a total of about 7 to 10 inches during puberty before they reach full adult height. Each person is a little different, so everyone starts and goes through puberty on his or her body's own schedule. Those who start a little later than their friends will usually continue to grow a little later, too.
If you're concerned about your son's growth, talk with his doctor.
For more information, check out these articles:
Growth and Your 13- to 18-Year-Old
Your Child's Growth
Reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
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