Can you predict your child's height as an adult?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Ngo Thi Oanh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Predicting a child's height is especially important, especially in today's society with high demands on physical appearance and health. Here are 3 methods to predict the height of children that parents can refer to.

1. The "two years times two" method predicts your baby's height

The "two years times two" method helps predict a child's height. However, this method can only be applied when the child is 2 years old. Although, there are no studies to determine how accurate it is, it has been used for a long time. Accordingly, parents can predict the child's height by this method by:
Determine the height when the child is 2 years old Multiply that height by two to get the predicted height For example, if your daughter is tall 86cm at 2 years old, your child can be 1m72 tall when grown up. The formula is: 86cm x 2 = 172cm.
The American Academy Of Pediatrics indicates that girls develop their height earlier than boys. Therefore, the prediction would be more accurate if the formula was applied to girls at 18 months.

2. The "curve" method predicts the baby's height

The "curve" method is another easy way to predict a child's adult height. It relies on standard growth charts to track a child's development. Predict the baby's height by this method by:
Measure the child's current height Compare with the growth chart From the reference point, draw a line parallel to the standard growth height to adulthood to predicted height For example, if a 6-year-old boy is 109cm tall, then his predicted height is 167cm as an adult.
MORE: Child height development milestones

3. Predicting children's height by genetic factors

Of all the methods of height prediction, the genetic prediction is probably the most accurate because it is calculated based on the average height of the parents. Besides, it is also known as the average parent height method or Tanner method.
Predict baby's height according to Tanner method by:
Record mom's height Record dad's height Calculate the average of the two heights Add 6cm to the average for boys and subtract 6cm for girls For example, if mom is 1m57 tall and dad is 1m73 tall, the average is 1m65. Do the calculation: (157 + 173) / 2 = 165cm.
In this case, the corresponding child's height prediction is:
Boy: 1m65 + 6cm = 1m71 Girl: 1m65 - 6cm = 1m59 According to calculation from this formula, the correct ratio is 68% for height predicted height difference with real height 5cm and 95% correct rate for difference 10cm.
The downside is that in the case of adoption or fertilization with donor sperm or eggs, height cannot be predicted.
Predict the child's height early, so that parents can recognize the risk factors that affect the height of the child. From there, there will be a direction to change, maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet for the child to develop a comprehensive height.
In order for children to be healthy and develop well both mentally and physically, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients that adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children

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References: mayoclinic.org, verywellfamily.com