To some people, height is not that important, but to others, it is kind of important. So naturally parents and well-wishers of a child feel some curiosity about the child's adult height -- just how tall the kid is going to be when he or she fully grows up.
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| Photo by Anna Shvets |
Though predicting a child's adult height is an not easy task since human height is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors.
However, there are a few methods you can use as general guidelines. Keep in mind that these methods provide estimates and may not be perfectly accurate for every individual. The most accurate method is at the bottom of the list.
Growth Charts
Growth charts track the average height of children at different ages. By plotting a child's height on a growth chart, you can estimate their percentile compared to other children of the same age and gender. This can give a rough idea of how the child's height corresponds to the average population.
Family Height Pattern
One of the simplest ways to predict a child's height is by looking at the heights of their biological parents.
If it is a boy and he goes after his father in height then he would be just as tall as his father. If he goes after his mother then add 5 inches to the mother's height to get an estimation of the boy's adult height.
If it is a girl and she goes after her mother, then she would be just as tall as her mother. If she goes after her father in height then subtract 5 inches from the father's height to get an estimation of her adult height.
Mid-Parental Height Method
The mid-parental height method is another approach that considers both parents' heights. For boys, add the father's height and mother's height together and then add 5 inches (13 centimeters). Divide the result by 2 to get an estimate of the adult height. For girls, subtract 5 inches (13 centimeters) from the sum of the parents' heights before dividing by 2.
Bone Age Assessment
Another method used by healthcare professionals is bone age assessment. This involves taking an X-ray of the child's hand and wrist to evaluate the development of their bones. By comparing the child's bone age to their chronological age, doctors can estimate how much more the child is likely to grow.
The 2-year-old Height Formula
There is a popular and easy formula for predicting a child's adult height. All someone needs to do is measure the child he is 2 years old. Just double his 2-year-old height and you get a fairly accurate picture of his adult height.
If it is a girl then she needs to be measured at 18 months.
Khamis-Roche height formula
This formula is considered by experts to be the most accurate one. The formula to use includes the child's stature, weight, and mid-parent stature in addition to some constants that are based on the kid's age and gender. The mid-parent stature is simply the average of the father's and mother's statures.
You can check it out at height-comparison.com.
Remember, these methods are not precise and individual variations exist. Factors like nutrition, health, physical activity, and hormonal changes during puberty can also influence a child's growth.