Girls grow faster than boys- This saying is the most heard in families and get-togethers. But what is the max height they ever reach? And, at what age?
Valid issues! Agreed? The aim of this blog is to answer all these queries – HEIGHTY matters – which will be of help to the growing girls. Plus tips, on how to grow tall, before you say goodbye to sweet 16.
Let’s get started.
When Do you Stop Growing?
Know this? Girls reach their maximum height before menstruation begins. And their first period starts around 12 1/2 years of age (which can also vary with diet, surroundings, and culture).
Once the period starts, girls get an ‘advantage’ factor – a gain of 1 to 2 inches in height.
When is the full height expected to happen? By 14 or 15 yrs.
The range of getting into ‘puberty’ is broad – it isn’t specific. It starts off between 8 to 13 years of age. The growth spurt can happen between 10 and 14. So, in puberty years, girls should do regular exercise and eat balanced diet – for proper growth and development to happen, as listed below:
What Are The Factors That Affect Growth?
Two things are governing factors when it comes to stimulating growth- Food and exercise!
Eat Fruits and Vegetables. It is not Grandma’s recipe anymore. But something that dietitians recommend any day. They give you enough vitamins and minerals to boost your growth. Five portions of fruits and veggies a day (at least) is good-to-go.
Apart from fruits and veggies, make sure to include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
When you eat too much or too little of any of these food groups, you are bound to get ill and lethargic. Also, never skip meals (however, tempting it might be to keep your weight down). You will only be damaging your body, on a longer run. Adequate nutrition is the need of the hour, not under-or -over.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So, skip the idea of sitting (and just sitting) in fancy rooms and glass ceilings, thinking it will make you healthy and glowing. Put up your socks and do Brisk-walk, cycling, treadmill or dumbbells.
By the way, when you do regular exercise – it helps you in building up of your muscles. And, it burns off calories and unwanted fat.
TIP:
Join a sports club or an exercise class. And if money is the case, then go play around with your friends – the running, cycling or going for a long walk.
What Is The Average Height For Girls By Age?
Here is a chart that gives you a bird-view of the average height of girls as per their age.
Age
Height
2 yrs
33.7″ (85.5 cm)
3 yrs
37.0″ (94 cm)
4 yrs
39.5″ (100.3 cm)
5 yrs
42.5″ (107.9 cm)
6 yrs
45.5″ (115.5 cm)
7 yrs
47.7″ (121.1 cm)
8 yrs
50.5″ (128.2 cm)
9 yrs
52.5″ (133.3 cm)
10 yrs
54.5″ (138.4 cm)
11 yrs
56.7″ (144 cm)
12 yrs
59.0″ (149.8 cm)
13 yrs
61.7″ (156.7 cm)
14 yrs
62.5″ (158.7 cm)
15 yrs
62.9″ (159.7 cm)
16 yrs
64.0″ (162.5 cm)
17 yrs
64.0″ (162.5 cm)
18 yrs
64.2″ (163 cm)
19 yrs
64.2″ (163 cm)
20 yrs
64.3″ (163.3 cm)
Knowing the signs of puberty in girls, should be at the back of your hand. Let’s refresh our memory.
Signs Of Puberty In Girls
It’s a fine line between puberty and adulthood. One thing starts, the other thing happens. Girls who are in the puberty stage (or at the edge of it) have the following body changes in them:
Breasts and hips begin to grow
Pubic hair begins to appear (it happens within 6 to 12 months after breast development starts)
Sexual organs also increase in size (this includes, uterus, vagina, clitoris and labia)
Puberty happens at which age? Around 11 (which is the ‘ripe’ time). The fear factor or the wish factor is how to add few metres-and-cms, before puberty stops. I will tell you how.
How To Grow Taller Before Puberty Ends
Now this is a tough call, but it’s achievable. Here are some ways to go about it:-
Sleep in a sufficient manner, not like a ‘king’ and oversleep (did you know growth hormone is released during sleep, which is needed to grow tall)
Avoid drugs and smoking (they have harmful chemical agents which can ruin your natural growth)
Eat hi-calcium and hi-protein diet for your bones and muscles. A diet which is rich in calcium (low fat dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt, and other foods like beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, nuts, sardines, spinach and tofu are your go-to foods). As for protein, start eating tofu, cheese, yogurt, nuts, eggs, soy milk, fish, poultry, lean meats, peanut butter, lentils & other legumes, and grains including bread and pasta
Sun exposure is a must (don’t miss it under the excuse of sun tan). It gives you vitamin D (but puh-lease, protect your skin from UV harm by avoiding the sun from 10am to 4pm)
Hydration is needed. So, keep drinking glasses of water throughout the day
Some more tips on what to do in order to be called a ‘tall lass’.
What To Do To Grow Taller
The primary reason behind your height is your ‘genes’. When Papa is tall, maa is tall, the offspring is likely to be tall! Other than that there are several factors which contribute to the height:
Diet, Vitamins (vit. D importantly), and Minerals. Zinc is an extra (but important), and Calcium is forever most-wanted!
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) – to be taken on doctor’s advice only
Exercise (basketball/skipping/swimming, stretching) and Sleep (9 to 10 hours of sleep is an added advantage in growth)
Straight posture (no limping, puhlease!)
Medium to Short Hair (Did you know, longer hair makes you appear smaller?)
Wear slimming colors (such as navy blue, forest green, black) which help you look taller
Heels or platform shoes is not for everyone, but is an instant boost to height
Any clue when breasts say NO to growth?
When Do Breasts Stop Growing?
It’s like this. Breast development is no black and white formula. There are many factors that influence the growth and ‘growth-stop’ of breasts, during the age cycle.
From the age of 7 to 13, breast development can happen (varies from person to person). Usually around the age of 17 to 18, breasts stop growing (but it largely depends from person to person).
BTW, apart from the physical changes, does the teenage body also go through emotional changes? Let’s find out.
Emotional Changes During Puberty
Any co-relation between ‘puberty’ and ‘emotions’? Is it like chalk and cheese, or inter-related? Let’s get into the depth of it.
Over-sensitivity: Since a female body (‘teenage’ to be specific) undergoes changes, quite naturally, it will feel uncomfortable about it, and feel extra sensitive about the physical appearance. This may lead to irritation, depression or losing temper. Rather than suppressing it, talk it out to someone (your best friend/sister etc.) who you can confide in and mentally sort it out.
Search of Identity: As a teenage girl steps into adulthood, she is looking for things that will make her unique and stand out. And the ‘likeability for family’ swings to ‘likeability for friends’. It could be – because your friends are going through a similar phase as you. This is a struggle of sorts to be more independent of your parents/ family.
Pressure from Peer: During puberty, the talks and chit-chats you have with friends are bound to increase. Popular media (this includes social media) in a way influences your thoughts and actions. ‘What’s in’ and ‘what’s hot’ in terms of dressing, language, even your behaviour are something that might interest you more. All of this is ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ driven. You have to fit in with your peers, or you could be excluded. You wouldn’t want that, would you?
Conflicting Thoughts: Since you are between a teenager and an adult, you may feel stuck – between a child and a ‘grown up’. While on one hand, you might want to be independent, on the other hand, you might have an urge for parental support. So, you could feel confused and look for clarity.
Mood Swings: Extreme changes in mood could come your way. Feeling happy one moment, and disgusted and irritated, the next moment. Challenging, isn’t it?
Getting Sexual Urges: Attaining sexual maturity is a natural outcome for those who have reached puberty. Curiosity levels are bound to increase about sex, physical attractions, etc. The situation changes from ‘just friends’ to ‘more than friends’. Keep guessing the next?!
This section was like getting into the ‘skin’ of emotions. But are there any other changes expected to happen during the phase of puberty? Let us find out.
Other Changes During Puberty
This so-called ‘puberty’ is a crazy time, don’t you think? Your body changes (even that of boys), so do the hormones.
There is under-arm hair growth (and pubic hair too), breast development, periods, acne, uff! But the ‘social’ and ‘emotional’ development cannot be sidelined. So much changes during the puberty years, which changes from individual to individual. There are dis-balances on the body and mind.
This is the sum and substance of puberty and growth. I hope you identified well with the points mentioned. Tell us about your reading experience and suggestions in the comments below!
