Which season has the greatest impact on children's height and how to help children grow taller
Spring is an important season for babies. After a lazy and cold winter, everything becomes vibrant and children will grow rapidly in this season.
As mothers, we all know that height is a very important indicator of a baby's growth and development. According to a report by the World Health Organization, children's growth and development have significant seasonal variations. The fastest growth occurs in spring (March to May), with an average increase of 7.3 millimeters in May, while the slowest growth occurs in October, with an average increase of only 3.3 millimeters. The growth rate in spring is 2-2.5 times faster than in autumn. So spring is the golden season for children to grow taller, don't miss it!
Medical studies have shown that genetics accounts for 60%-70% of height, but each of us still has 30% of potential for growth. With correct intervention and seizing the peak growth period, it is possible to increase height by 15cm. Each stage of growth and development is important. Scientific statistics show that children grow about 25 centimeters in their first year, about 10-11 centimeters in their second year, and between 5-8 centimeters per year from the age of 3 to puberty. During puberty, the average annual height increase should not be less than 8 centimeters. If the growth rate falls behind, it will leave a lifelong impact. Growing taller is a race against time to close the growth plates, and the earlier you start, the more ideal the height will be. If you start running when you are already grown up, you can only sprint and have to resort to medication for stimulation.
According to the latest concept of physical development, there are three different height growth peaks for infants, children, and adolescents. Before the age of 2, especially at the age of 1, nutrition supply has a significant impact on height. After the age of 2, especially after the age of 3, when entering childhood, the role of growth hormone in height becomes prominent. In adolescence, sex hormones play an important role in height because the rapid increase in height during puberty is due to the combined action of sex hormones and growth hormones.
Factors affecting children's height include:
1. Genetic factors: Genetic factors do not have an absolute impact on a child's height because the final height is also influenced by other environmental factors.
2. Gender: Full-term newborn boys are slightly taller than girls, with a difference of about 2 centimeters. This gender difference may exist throughout childhood, until early adolescence.
3. Nutrition: Adequate nutrition leads to faster growth. When a baby's nutrition is insufficient to meet the needs of bone growth, height growth will slow down.
4. Sleep: Sufficient sleep promotes growth. The secretion of human growth hormone is highest during sleep.
5. Exercise: Exercise can promote blood circulation, improve bone nutrition, and stimulate height growth.
6. Disease: Acute diseases generally affect weight, while chronic diseases affect height.
7. Environment: Children in northern China are generally taller than those in southern China. In addition, areas with better economic conditions and higher cultural levels tend to have taller children.
Five methods to help children grow taller
1. Ensure adequate sleep for children
Children primarily grow during the night. Adequate sleep is a crucial factor in influencing their height because growth hormone, which promotes height, is secreted in pulses rather than evenly throughout the day. After about 2 hours of sleep, the secretion of growth hormone reaches its peak, accounting for almost half of the daily secretion. Another peak of growth hormone secretion occurs when the child is about to wake up. Many children, especially students, do not get enough sleep. Parents should try to arrange their children's schedule so that they go to bed early and wake up later in the morning. Children aged 3-6 should sleep for 10-12 hours a day, while elementary and middle school students should sleep for 9-10 hours a day.
2. Monitor growth regularly
Many parents cannot answer when asked about their child's growth rate. In the first year after birth, the baby's height and weight should be measured every month. After that, measurements should be taken at least every six months, preferably in the morning, and records should be kept. The height growth rate should be around 25 centimeters per year at the age of 1, around 10 centimeters per year at the age of 2, and around 5-6 centimeters per year from the age of 3 to 16. If the growth rate falls below these norms, parents should be alert.
3. Encourage regular exercise
Regular exercise can help children grow taller. In infancy, activities such as baby exercises and swimming can promote development. Children aged 3 to 5 can ride bicycles, but they are curious and love to run, so parents must closely supervise them. After starting elementary school, parents should consciously cultivate their children's habit of aerobic exercise, such as jumping rope, playing shuttlecock, and playing basketball.
4. Pay attention to the 5 key stages of height growth
Monitoring a child's height should start from the mother's pregnancy. The mother's nutrition during pregnancy can affect the baby's height and weight. Different age stages, such as pregnancy, infancy, starting elementary school, middle school, and high school, are important checkpoints for observing a child's height. Parents should pay close attention and seek medical help if they notice any abnormal growth.
5. Monitor sexual development
Children who experience early or rapid sexual development initially grow faster and are significantly taller than their peers of the same age. However, these children mature quickly in terms of bone age, and once the growth plates close, they will no longer grow taller. It is essential to closely monitor a child's sexual development. If a girl develops enlarged breasts before the age of 8 or a boy develops enlarged testicles before the age of 9, it is necessary to seek medical help from a pediatric endocrinologist. Do not be satisfied with the child's height at that time and neglect further monitoring. Also, do not believe in so-called "height-increasing" products, as most of them are harmful. It is advisable to limit the consumption of high-calorie and high-fat foods and reduce the intake of carbonated drinks.
