Question
A 15-year-old girl stands at only 154 cm tall and weighs 96 pounds. Both her parents are of short stature, but her aunt is 167 cm tall. Her parents are worried she won’t grow taller, as her height hasn’t increased in a year. She herself hopes to reach 167 cm. Among her peers, she is on the shorter side, which has caused her to feel self-conscious. How can she grow taller?
Answer
Based on this girl’s situation, to maximize her growth potential, she should consume more vegetables, high-protein foods, high-quality protein foods, calcium-rich foods, and zinc-rich foods. To avoid malnutrition, it is important to ensure adequate rest and good sleep quality, as well as participating in sports activities. It is recommended to undergo a detailed check-up of the growth plates first. If the growth plates are about to fuse but have not yet completely fused, short-term use of growth hormone can be considered. However, it must begin now as the opportunity is rare; missing it could lead to premature fusion of the growth plates and affect her final height.