As parents, monitoring our children’s growth and development can feel like a full-time job. It’s natural to become obsessed with tracking every ounce and inch, especially during the early stages of infancy when growth is rapid. However, as children enter their preteen and teenage years, growth rates slow down significantly, leaving many parents wondering when their daughters will stop growing.
If you have a daughter who is approaching puberty, you may be curious about the common question, “When do girls stop growing?” Keep reading to learn more.
What age do girls stop growing in height?
Girls typically begin puberty between the ages of 8 and 13, with their first period occurring between 10 and 14 years old. After starting puberty, girls experience a significant growth spurt. However, their growth is hindered after their first period.
On average, girls only grow 1-2 inches per year after their first period. This means that they will reach their adult height around the age of 14 or 15. While their bodies will continue to go through changes such as breast development and weight changes, most girls will stop growing in height at the end of puberty or a few years after their first period.
What is the average height of adult women?
The average height for women in the United States who are 20 years of age or older is 5 feet 4 inches tall.
As noted earlier, puberty can begin as early as 8 years old, which means that half of American girls may be below the median height. If you would like to know more about your daughter’s potential height, please refer to the table below.
| Age (years old) | Average height (inches and centimeters) |
| 8 | 50.2 – 127.5 |
| 9 | 52.4 – 133 |
| 10 | 54.3 – 138 |
| 11 | 56.7 – 144 |
| 12 | 59.4 – 151 |
| 13 | 61.8 – 157 |
| 14 | 63.2 – 160.5 |
| 15 | 63.8 – 162 |
| 16 | 64 – 162.5 |
| 17 | 64 – 163 |
| 18 | 64 – 163 |
At what stage do girls experience the most significant increase in height?
The period during which girls experience the most significant increase in height is typically 1 or 2 years before the onset of menstruation. This growth spurt occurs as a result of the body’s release of hormones during puberty, which leads to various physical changes, including an increase in height. Puberty usually begins for girls between the ages of 9 and 13.
Girls who start puberty later have more time to grow before reaching the stage where growth slows down and eventually stops.
For example, if a girl has her first period at the age of 12, she would have experienced a growth spurt around the age of 10 or 11, during which she could have grown up to 3 to 4 inches per year. After the onset of menstruation, her growth rate would slow down, and she would continue to grow a few more inches until reaching her adult height.
Does a girl’s height continue to increase after she starts menstruating?
After a girl starts her period, her growth rate slows down but does not stop completely. Over the next two years, there may still be some growth, typically around 1 to 2 inches per year. It is essential for girls to maintain a healthy lifestyle during this period to give their bodies the best chance to continue growing.
If you are wondering what constitutes a healthy lifestyle for girls, please continue reading below.
9 Ways Girls Can Increase Height Quickly During Puberty
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Consuming a sufficient amount of nutrient-rich food during childhood and adolescence is an effective way to improve height. A nutritious diet should include proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates that are essential for overall body growth. Protein-rich foods like eggs, lentils, tofu, lean meat, soy products, nuts, milk, and dairy products are particularly important for proper growth.
Say No to Soft Drinks, Alcohol, Beer, and Cigarettes
To increase height during puberty, it is important to avoid these stimulants. Nicotine and cadmium in cigarettes can weaken bones, potentially leading to osteoporosis. Excessive alcohol consumption can prevent the formation of new bone cells, and soft drinks containing phosphoric acid can deplete calcium levels in the body, resulting in bone loss.
Maintain an Ideal Body Weight
Being overweight puts stress on the intervertebral discs of the spine, hindering optimal height and increasing the risk of obesity and other health issues. Therefore, maintaining an ideal weight through proper nutrition and regular exercise is important.
Practice Good Posture
Maintaining good posture, such as sitting and standing up straight, helps to align the spine and prevent curvature, which can contribute to a decrease in height.
Get Adequate Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial during puberty, as it allows the body to repair and regenerate cells. Adequate sleep also helps to stimulate the release of growth hormones.
Engage in Regular Exercise
Physical activity is important for promoting bone density and muscle strength, both of which contribute to height. Activities like swimming, cycling, and stretching can be particularly helpful.
Avoid Stress
Chronic stress can lead to the release of hormones that negatively impact growth and development. Therefore, it is important to engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.
Take Vitamin Supplements
Vitamins like vitamin D and calcium are crucial for bone health and growth. Taking supplements can help ensure adequate intake.
Seek Medical Advice
If concerns persist regarding height during puberty, seeking medical advice is recommended. A healthcare professional can assess potential underlying medical conditions and provide appropriate treatment.
Ensure Sufficient Sleep Every Night
During deep sleep, the body releases hormones essential for growth. However, a chronic lack of sleep can hinder healthy growth and lead to health problems. Therefore, obtaining sufficient sleep every night is crucial for optimal growth.
In addition, maintaining a proper sleeping posture can help lengthen the spine. Sleeping on a hard surface with a flat pillow under the knees while lying on the back can align the spine in a straight and natural position, which elongates the spine and facilitates the growth hormone’s smooth travel through the body.
Incorporate Daily Exercises
Girls typically experience a growth spurt during puberty, and encouraging your daughter to stretch and exercise regularly can increase her height. Here are some natural and quick height-increasing exercises:
- Stand against a wall and reach as high as possible with both arms.
- Practice yoga poses such as the cobra stretch, mountain pose, and triangle pose.
- Do skipping exercises to stretch the body.
- Engage in activities such as swimming, basketball, or cycling to grow taller.
Improve Posture
Frequent slouching and slumping can alter the natural shape of the back, negatively affecting height. Thus, practicing good posture can create the illusion of being taller than one’s actual height.
- Maintain a straight back when walking.
- Stand with feet slightly apart and hands by the sides. Avoid putting hands in pockets.
- Sit with feet flat on the floor and avoid crossing legs. Use a small pillow to support the back.
Stay Hydrated
Water plays a crucial role in our daily routine as it boosts the body’s metabolism and promotes growth. Drinking water aids in proper digestion by eliminating toxins from the body and assisting in the absorption of necessary nutrients for growth.
Boost Immune Health
An unhealthy immune system can hinder the growth of back muscles and overall height. To promote healthy growth, it is essential to maintain a strong immune system. One effective way to strengthen it is by consuming foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
Consider Growth Supplements
In addition to eating a balanced diet, growth supplements can also help boost height during puberty. These supplements contain essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support healthy growth. However, it is crucial to research and choose the most suitable supplement for your daughter’s needs or consult with a healthcare professional before making a decision.
Encourage your daughter to adopt these healthy habits to promote optimal growth and overall health during childhood and puberty.
- Related post: What Is a Normal Growth Rate for Young Children?
