Is it True That Your Height Decreases with Age?
Undoubtedly, adults typically shrink with advancing age.
From age 40 onward, individuals commonly shed about a centimeter of height per decade. Males see a yearly decrease in height between 0.08% and 0.1%. Females generally shed 0.12-0.14% annually.
Factors Contributing to Height Loss
Some of this reduction results from progressively poor posture as we age. People who maintain a hunched back posture over long durations – perhaps while working – might notice their back slowly conforms to that position.
We all decrease some height from start to end of day while gravity presses moisture from vertebral discs.
Physical Changes Explaining Shrinking
The change in our stature takes place gradually.
During the early thirties, height stabilizes as bone and muscle mass start declining. The cushioning discs within our backbone shed water and gradually compress.
The porous interior in vertebrae, pelvis and lower limbs loses density. As this occurs, the structure compact slightly becoming shorter.
Diminished muscle mass additionally affects our height: bones maintain their form and size via muscle force.
Can We Prevent Height Loss?
Although this change isn't stoppable, the progression can be delayed.
Eating foods high in calcium and D vitamins, engaging in regular resistance training and reducing smoking and drinking from younger adulthood can decrease how quickly bone and muscle diminish.
Maintaining proper posture also provides protection of stature loss.
Is Height Loss Always Problematic?
Losing some height could be normal.
However, substantial skeletal and muscular decline as we grow older connects to persistent health problems such as cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, joint inflammation, and physical limitations.
Thus, it's worthwhile to implement protective strategies to support skeletal and muscular integrity.
