Short genes | Imamother

Chayalle

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 9:08 am

amother wrote:

I'm curious, do you know how exercise helps?

It helps stimulate secretion of the growth hormone as well as other hormones important to body function. In addition to stimulating the appetite, which leads to increased calories. It's one of the building blocks of growth.

amother

Salmon

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 9:21 am

OP

I asked a question about something I think about often. of course I can and will except it if my kids are short but if I can do something about it, why shouldn't I?

I didn't ask for people to help me accept my short children or Hashem's will. you can say that about every single thing in life. and we all strive for that, myself included.

for those who have done something or looked into it, what age did you take action? at what point did you start thinking into it?

Chayalle

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 9:24 am

I took DD to a pediatric endocrinologist when she was 10. Evaluated, and based on the recommendations, did nothing more than focusing on the 5 building blocks of growth, which I listed in a separate post on this thread.

eschaya

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 10:11 am

Genes are the limiting factor in this equation. However, good nutrition, sleep and healthy activity will help your child achieve the maximum as delineated by his/her genes. For example, coming from 2 short parents, it is likely this this child's genes set a maximum height limit of x. But without healthy lifestyle and nutrition, the child can end up below that set limit. So it is important to focus on nutrition, sleep and activity.
Growth hormones are used for children who are short not for a genetic reason but because of chemical deficiency. So if your child appears not to be reaching his/her projected height (which you know in advance will probably will somewhat on the short side anyway), then it would be wise to get testing or see an endocrinologist.
Why don't you discuss your concerns with your pediatrician?

HeartyAppetite

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 10:17 am

Zahlers makes a supplement called height factor. The reviews say that it worked. You can try it and see if it helps.
http://www.koshervitamins.com/.....sules

kollel wife

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 12:22 pm

I know my grandmother and her sisters (maybe like 7 or 8 in total) grew up in the early 1900s in America. They were all very short. She always said they were short because they didn't know about nutrition in those days. I guess there is something to what she said and the next generations aren't short at all. About the sisters, I'm talking 4'10" and under.

amother

Coral

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 1:53 pm

Chayalle wrote:

It isn't a guarantee though. My short son does quite a lot of regular sport. It has helped with his confidence which is wonderful but hasn't obviously had any effect on his growth at all. Genetics perhaps trumps sports.

Chayalle

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 2:06 pm

amother wrote:

Of course, it's not a guarantee. However, consider that without exercising, your son might have been even shorter.

Focusing on the building blocks - sleep, calories, calcium, hydration, and exercise - maximizes the potential growth. It does not increase it though.

water_bear88

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 2:09 pm

I just want to say on exercise- I seem to remember hearing that cardio is great for kids but weight-training should be avoided. I know someone who was doing serious weight-training in his teens who might have been a couple of inches taller had he stuck to cardio.

amother

Coral

Wed, Jul 13 2016, 2:20 pm

HeartyAppetite wrote:

Zahlers makes a supplement called height factor. The reviews say that it worked. You can try it and see if it helps.
http://www.koshervitamins.com/.....sules

I looked at the ingredients and it's basically just a multivitamin with extra amounts of B vitamins, alfalfa and chlorella. Personally I shall be saving my money and loving my short stature child just the way he is.