I’m worried that I’ll stay short for the rest of my life. Is there anything I can do to grow faster?

Last updated on October 21, 2020

Question:

Hello. I am 15 years old and I started my periods when I was about 12 and they are very regular. I am only 4ft 7 and I am really worried that I will stay short for the rest of my life. I have used your Tanner Stage Calculator and it said I was in stage 3.9. I haven’t had a growth spurt yet. Could you please tell me if I will grow any more and if there’s anything I can do to help me grow faster?

Answer:

A growth spurt is when the speed at which you grow doubles (or more) from your typical rate of growth when you were a child. Thus, if you did not grow very fast as a child, you might not think a growth spurt was that noticeable when you are a teenager.

I cannot tell you if you will grow more or not. The calculator estimates the stage you are in based on various external characteristics. During stage 4, the typical teenage girl will grow another one to two inches. There is another method of estimating your stage of growth that is done by examining your bone age. A doctor x-rays your hand and then compares the shapes of the bones to a standard chart to estimate your progress. It is a more precise estimate.

As hard as it is at the moment, the best thing you can do is be determined to be happy whatever size you turn out to be. Size doesn’t determine happiness. Your attitude alone determines your happiness. “For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).