
Helping children attain optimum height is often a big concern for parents, and takes a bigger toll on the kids than most of us realize. While there is obviously nothing wrong in being short, coping with peer pressure can be hard for kids who do not grow as fast as their contemporaries. Many a time, kids who are comparatively shorter are made fun of or bullied at school, and this may make them fearful and also impact their self-confidence It is important to note here that height is usually determined by genes. However, studies have found that external factors like the food one eats can also make a difference and influence the height of a person in his or her growing years. The three most important determining factors for height are genes, diet and lifestyle. You cannot change the genetic makeup you have passed on to your kids, but you can do your bit to ensure that the other two factors are taken care of – that your child has a healthy diet and lifestyle to support his or her growth spurt. Inadequate nutrition can stunt the growth of a child, no matter how strong the genes are.
