"Is the saying 'same height as their mother' reliable?"
The saying "same height as their mother" is too absolute. While a child's height is indeed influenced by their mother's height, this genetic factor is also influenced by both parents. The genetic contribution rate of the mother's height is not significantly higher. Additionally, height is not solely determined by genetics but also by factors such as nutrition and exercise.
Regarding the contribution rate of the mother's height to the child's height, the heritability of height for males and females is 0.89 and 0.87, respectively. It is evident that the genetic influence of both parents on a child's height is similar. The saying "same height as their mother" overly emphasizes the mother's genetic contribution.
In addition to genetic factors, a child's height is also influenced by environmental factors. Wu Xueyan, an expert, explained that factors such as endocrine function, metabolic rate, sleep, and exercise all play a role in determining height. These environmental factors account for about 30-40% of one's height.
If parents want their child to grow taller, they must fully leverage these environmental factors.
First and foremost, nutrition must be ensured. Height is "built" by nutrition, and proteins are the main "building materials" for the human body. Even if a person has good genetics, inadequate nutrition will not lead to a taller height.
During pregnancy, mothers should ensure adequate nutrition. Newborn babies should be breastfed as much as possible, and in different stages of growth, they should be provided with sufficient and balanced nutrition. Preschool and school-age children should pay attention to balanced diets, avoid being picky eaters, and have a variety of protein and vegetables in their meals.
Exercise is the second factor that promotes a child's growth. Regular participation in physical activities can improve blood circulation, accelerate metabolism, and increase blood supply to bone tissue. Enhanced nutrition combined with mechanical friction and stimulation during exercise promotes the proliferation of epiphyseal cartilage cells, facilitating bone growth and development. Engage in outdoor activities that involve vertical movements and body stretching, such as jumping rope, reaching high objects, and shooting baskets. Outdoor activities provide longer exposure to sunlight, which aids in calcium absorption and height growth.
Sleep is also an important factor in a child's growth. After a deep sleep, the body secretes growth hormones vigorously. Sufficient sleep is beneficial for a child's height. It is recommended that children go to bed before 10 PM to ensure the secretion of growth hormones during the night.
In addition, early puberty can lead to early skeletal development, but closure may occur earlier as well, resulting in lower height compared to children who develop normally. Additionally, some children tend to have incorrect posture when standing, sitting, walking, reading, and writing. Habitually looking down, slouching, hunching shoulders, and stooping can cause spinal deformities, which can affect height and result in a decrease of 1-5 centimeters.