Just like age, height too is only a number and a person’s personality is not impacted by it, unless he believes so. But some people want to look taller and keep trying methods that would increase their height.
But with growing age, it almost seems impossible to find a way to gain a few inches.
Though several factors contribute to a person's overall height, but the genetic factor has a major role to play. Around 60 to 80 percent of a person’s height is determined by the genes. The remaining 20 to 40 percent is due to environmental factors like lifestyle and nutrition.
It is said to be almost impossible to grow height after the age of 18. But is it really true? Why does the height stop growing after the age of 18? It is widely believed that a person’s height stops growing once they attain their puberty. This is true in most of the cases.
Your height stops increasing after the age of 18 because of your bones, specifically your growth plates.
The growth plates also known as the epiphyseal plates are an area of specialised cartilage near the end of your bones. A person is tall due to the lengthening of long bones, which grow when they are still active or “open”.
When a person is near the end of his puberty, due to the hormonal changes the growth plates harden and “close”. As a result, the growth of the bones stop.
In women, the growth plates close when they are around 16 years old and in men, this happens when they are between the age of 14 and 19.
The growth of long bones usually do not occur in a majority of adults, but some daily variations in height are common. The variation is due to slight compression of the discs in the spine. Although, these are very minimal and can cause a slight reduction in height. No exercise or stretching technique can help It is commonly believed that certain activities like hanging, climbing, and swimming can increase a person's height. Unfortunately, these are mere claims and there is no solid evidence available to prove these claims. A healthy lifestyle before 18 may help Although only 20-30 percent of the growth of your height depends on your lifestyle, but it is still considered crucial. Following a healthy lifestyle before the age of 18 may help you to maximize your height in your teenage years.
Ensure that you are not deficient in any essential nutrients. Ample amount of calcium and Vitamin D is important to improve bone health.
Increase your intake of fruits and green vegetables. Eating enough protein is also good for health. Eggs, poultry, lean meats, and dairy products are a good source of protein. What to do after the age of 18? Although most adults won’t gain height after the age of 18 to 20, but some times due to some medical conditions your height may continue to increase after this age limit.
- First, if your growth plates remain open after this age, which is very uncommon.
- Secondly, if a person is suffering from gigantism. This condition causes excessive growth.
- Thirdly it can be due to hemochromatosis.

Bottom line It is always good to accept what you have. After all, height is not everything. Height does not determine one's success and happiness.

But if you are not happy then here are a few things that you can try:

- Practice good posture to look taller

- Go for heels instead to flat footwear

- Gain muscle to look stronger

Source: indiatimes.com