Why do kids normally grow up to be taller than their parents?
Your height is mainly dictated by genetics, however there are some things you can't blame your parents for.
Asked by: Helen Osborne, Aberdeen
While your final height is dictated chiefly by the genes you inherit from your parents, factors like nutrition and disease account for around 20 per cent of the height variation between people. The factors' effect varies from country to country. For example, studies in Australia found that boys are typically around one per cent taller than their fathers, and girls around three per cent taller than their mothers. But in the Netherlands, the difference is around double that, and seems to be accelerating, possibly due to improved health and wealth.
Read more:
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Authors
Robert is a science writer and visiting professor of science at Aston University.
Subscription offer
Subscribe and try your first 3 issues for just £5. After your introductory period you will pay just £22.99 every 6 issues by Direct Debit. Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery.
