The long and short of your child's height

MANILA, Philippines - “Is my child too short?”

This is a very common question among parents. They see their kids playing with other children of the same age, and the concern kicks in when certain kids seem to lack in the height department compared to others. Even parents with children of average height still try to look for ways to make them grow taller. However, there are certain factors to consider before you run to the nearest drugstore and stock up on the different supplements that promise an extra inch or two.

Being short is not necessarily a problem if this has been the child’s regular growth pattern. “There is very little you can control when it comes to your child’s height,” says Aleli Magtibay, one of the country’s top nutritionist dietitians. “The strongest contributor to height is genetics. There is a certain limit as to how much the child will grow, and if the child’s parents or family members are not tall, then expect the child to grow within the same range.”

The good news is there are certain things that parents can do to help the child’s growth without having to result to drastic and usually unsafe measures such as growth pills. As with everything pertaining to a child’s growth and development, the kind of diet he eats will greatly aid the height that he will reach.

The two most important nutrients the child needs for growth are protein and calcium. Magtibay explains, “Protein contains amino acids, which are responsible for growth. These contribute to the production of growth hormones in the pituitary gland, thus allowing your child to grow taller. If the child does not receive enough protein, there will be insufficient production of growth hormones. Protein also aids in muscle development, which contributes to the child’s growth.”

Calcium, on the other hand, has always been attributed to height because it helps build strong bones. “High calcium intake is important especially for children because their bones are still developing,” says Magtibay. “Proper bone development not only aids in the child’s height but also in maintaining the body’s skeletal structure later on in life. This is why any nutritionist or pediatrician will stress the importance of drinking milk — the most common source of calcium.”

However, children need more than a diet of protein and calcium to grow. Without adequate amounts of nutrients and vitamins, receiving protein and calcium will not do much for the child’s growth and health. One such nutrient that does not always come to mind is zinc, which works with protein and calcium for the child to reach his maximum growth.

According to Magtibay, “Zinc has many roles in the body’s growth. It is important in many kinds of enzymes that are involved in many metabolic processes, and is also needed for protein synthesis. It also helps in regulating hormones. In other words, zinc is essential in important processes that happen in the body that directly or indirectly affect growth.”

Magtibay cautions parents who are driven to increase their children’s height. “There are many products out there that promise to make children grow taller in a matter of weeks or months. These are usually just supplements with increased amounts of vitamins and minerals, which children don’t need if they are getting the right kind of nutrition from the food they eat.”

“If you want your children to grow taller, give them food that is rich in calcium, protein, and zinc,” advises Magtibay. “This combination works very well to help your child reach maximum growth. An example of food rich in the said nutrients is milk such as Nido Fortified. Two glasses provide 86 percent of calcium, 36 percent of protein, and 44 percent of zinc of the Philippine Recommended Energy and Nutrients Intake of four to six-year-old kids.”