Do Two Short Parents Make a Tall Child? Let’s Break the Myth!
How height is actually determined — it’s not just mom + dad
Okay, so you’re probably wondering: if both parents are short, does that automatically mean the kid will be short too? I used to think it was a simple equation: short + short = short. But after talking to my friend Alex (he’s a genetics nerd, trust me), I realized it’s way more complex.
Height is what scientists call a polygenic trait — meaning it’s influenced by many genes, not just one or two. So while parental height matters, it’s not the full story. You’ve got grandparents, great-grandparents, random genetic mixes, all playing a role.
Can two short parents have a tall child?
The role of genetics
Yes, it’s possible! Short parents can carry so-called “tall” genes from past generations that they didn’t express themselves. Imagine a hidden deck of cards — sometimes, when shuffled for the next generation, a lucky combo pops out.
Alex reminded me: “You’ve got to look beyond just the parents. Think family trees.” I was shocked when I remembered my cousin Lisa: her parents are both under 5'5", and she’s 5'10"! Family photos revealed a tall grandpa no one ever talked about.
The limits of genetics
BUT — (and here’s where I change my mind mid-article) — genetics has its limits. If both parents are short because of strong, dominant short genes across multiple generations, the chance of suddenly having a super-tall kid is low. It’s like trying to pull an ace from a deck with no aces.
Environmental factors matter more than you think
Nutrition and health during childhood
Height isn’t just “written in the genes.” Nutrition, health, exercise, and even sleep during key growth phases all play huge roles. I honestly underestimated this. Alex pointed out a study where malnutrition in childhood shaved several centimeters off potential adult height — even in kids with tall genes.
So yeah, you can have the genetic potential for height, but if the body doesn’t get what it needs, that potential might never show up.
Hormonal and medical conditions
Let’s not forget medical factors. Growth hormone deficiencies, thyroid issues, or other conditions can stunt or, in some cases, enhance growth. If you’re really curious (or worried), a pediatrician or endocrinologist can help estimate a child’s predicted height based on medical history.
Is height really predictable?
The mid-parental height formula
There’s a rough formula people use to estimate a child’s adult height:
For boys: (father’s height + mother’s height + 13 cm) ÷ 2
For girls: (father’s height + mother’s height − 13 cm) ÷ 2
But here’s the kicker — even with this formula, kids can end up 8–10 cm above or below the estimate. Genetics is unpredictable like that. I used to believe you could neatly predict height with math, but nope, it’s a messy cocktail of factors.
Final thoughts: should short parents worry?
Honestly? No. Two short parents can absolutely have a tall child — thanks to hidden genes, environment, and sometimes just random chance. But they can also have a short child, and that’s perfectly okay too.
Height doesn’t define worth or potential. My change of heart writing this? I realized I was focusing too much on numbers and not enough on the big picture: health, happiness, and confidence matter way more.
So — do you have any funny or surprising height stories in your family? I’d love to hear them. Drop me a message; let’s compare notes!
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.