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XM8 · Jan 22, 2009, 04:24 AM

Hi,

I'm 16 years old, 1m80.. which I presume would be about 5 foot 9 and I weigh about 73 kilos (161 pounds)

I'm already taller than my mother, and just about the height of my father. I've noticed that all the people in my grade/year have started growing taller than me and I feel kind of.. small :(

I've got a big frame so I'm not that small but I still feel like I'm being left behind. I assume smoking has to do a lot with this problem, I started 2 years ago, and have been constantly stopping and starting every few months. Yet the people in my year/grade, the ones growing to my height and taller, smoke regularly and even smoke pot, so I don't see why they should be growing and I shouldn't.

Although for the past 2 years, along with smoking, I have simultaneously been working out (body building) and drinking a lot of milk. I do keep a healthy diet, I eat several fruits every day, I eat dairy produts, cerials.. and well a bit of everything.

For the past 3 weeks I haven't been smoking much since I'm down with angina and well.. incapable of doing anything like smoking.

Personally I don't think it's got much to do with genes.. although I could be wrong (I'm no expert). On my dad's side of the family, from what I've heard and the photos I've seen, my grandfather and great grandfather were really tall men, almost 2m in height.

Yet on my mother's side, the men aren't as tall as on my fathers, but they aren't short either. (I think).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Xm8

Capuchin · Jan 22, 2009, 04:51 AM

You're about 5' 11''

The average height for a guy in the US is about 175cm, so you're above average.

XM8 · Jan 22, 2009, 10:39 AM

Oh.. excuse my bad conversion. Well the thing is I'm stuck in the middle of europe in god forsaken austria - which is a bit of a sticky wicket, or as you say in the States "up the creek without a paddle" if I remember correctly.

I'm getting rude comments from other people, teasing me "haha I used to be shorter than you, now I'm taller". Now I'm not as narrow minded as them to actually take offence to that - they're childish but the problem is it's quite frustrating for the subconcious mind and sometimes I find myself wondering if I'm too short.

-Xm8

asking · Jan 22, 2009, 10:58 AM

You may have some growth left in you. But you are already tall, not short. You happened to have ended up in a small group of kids with some taller guys who are enjoying teasing you about nothing because, apparently, they can get a reaction out of you.

Smoking will decrease your lifespan significantly and cause you to be sicker than average--more colds, flu, bronchitis. Also, smokers are, on average, less secure than other people. You should quit smoking and learn to love yourself the way you are. Good luck!

asking · Jan 22, 2009, 11:22 AM

PS

You are about average for Germany for your age (older men are shorter on average). Austria isn't listed here.
Human height - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Where did you grow up? Ethnic background?

Capuchin · Jan 22, 2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by XM8

...or as you say in the States...

Location: UK

XM8 · Jan 23, 2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by asking

PS

You are about average for Germany for your age (older men are shorter on average). Austria isn't listed here.
Human height - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Where did you grow up? Ethnic background?

Thanks for the link - it's most informative.

Yes, well as you mentioned they do get a kick out of it because they feel inferior I guess.. Well I'm no psychologist, that's just my hunch.

And yea wel I've given up smoking for good this time, I'm just sick of having to cough up phlegm every morning, feel weak, always getting sick, not be able to exercise - and yes, smokers are less secure, that's perfectly true. In the long run, smoking is so not worth it.

And if you were wondering I'm half english (from my dad) and half syrian (from my mother). We've moved a lot.. I lived for 4 years in Pakistan, stayed a few months in Switzerland and been in Austria for the past 11 years. Quite.. well I'd say quite tiresome.

As for my height, could I grow a few more centimeters (let's say about 5-10 more) if I followed a specific diet?

I've read that to grow well one must eat a bit of everything, but I've read that milk helps a lot because the calcium strengthens the bones. Vitamins are vital of course.. but other than that I usually have more meat than fish.

If you could propose a diet I'd be more than grateful.

Thanks

-Xm8

spitvenom · Jan 23, 2009, 10:52 AM

Xm8 I am 30 years old and I am 5'5" I am short! Don't sweat it to much I think you have two more years to grow. Unfortunately for me I am stuck at 5'5". I have heard all the short jokes so I just got use to it. Although when I was your age and 5 inches shorter then I am now I would fight anyone who made fun of me but I got passed it and so will you.