If I start eating again, is there still a chance I will get taller?

[Anonymous]

I just started school as a sophomore in high school (to give you an idea of how old I am). I used to be obese, and weighed 220 lbs at my heaviest. I steadily lost about 60 lbs over the course of 1-2 years (healthily), but I was severely depressed and wanted nothing but to be thin. The results just weren't fast enough, so I decided to starve myself. For the past 6 months or so, I had been eating only once every three weeks - just enough to stay alive. I rapidly lost another 40 lbs, and now weigh 120. I'm finally content with my weight, but I'm afraid my malnutrition stunted my growth (especially since I'm an adolescent).

My dad is 5'10, my mom is 5'4, and I am currently 5'6 and have been ever since 6th or 7th grade. My shoe size has not changed since then, either.

Lately, I've been trying to ease myself back into a normal diet, because I want to salvage what is left of my height potential (if anything). So my question: Do you think I still have a chance to grow taller if I start eating normally again? Or have I stunted my growth for the rest of my life? :(

[Anonymous]

" I used to be obese, and weighed 220 lbs at my heaviest"

ouch. i just went from 285 to 220. i might be a tad taller than you but i dont think 220 would be "obese"!

also not eating properly is bad for you in many other ways. starving yourself is the dumbest thing you can do.

does your height really matter that much? why is it so important to you? do you think you won't get a girl because you are too short? if that is your reasoning, how did you think starving yourself was going to help? that is never going to make you look healthy..

[Asker]

220 lbs is obese if you are 5'6.

Yes, you hit the nail on the head - that is why getting taller is so important to me.

I didn't starve myself to get taller. I starved myself to lose weight. Now, after learning that malnutrition can stunt your growth, I'm concerned that is exactly what happened to me.

[Opinion Owner]

my point was that starving yourself makes you look unhealthy and therefore unattractive - it doesn't make any sense to do that when your end goal is to look attractive!

anyway, you dont need to be tall or even good looking to get girls (or thin, for that matter). you need to be confident. confidence is a state of mind and has nothing to do with the shape or height of your body. anyone can be confident. anyone can get girls.

[snowangle]

I'll add that starvation is extremely dangerous. People die from anorexia. Some even have severe brain damage due to malnutrition. This method isn't going to make you attractive, at all. Take care of yourself.

[charluka]

Unfortunately, the human body stops growing roughly around the age of 25 for men and 21 for women but it varies from person to person. You might have already reached your maximum height.

[Asker]

Is it my maximum height? Or am I stunted by malnutrition?

[charluka]

I would not worry about it if I were you. I was underweight at your age and had gained weight and I went from being about 5'6" to 5'10". It varies though so it might be either one.

[snowangle]

Just eat healthy. It's true that malnutrition can potentially stunt your growth, but you don't have to go to your previous eating habits, either. Just take care of yourself. And see a counselor if you have trouble.

[Asker]

If there is no chance of me growing anymore, I'd rather just go back to starving myself and lose even more weight...

[snowangle]

You're barely pubescent (sophomore in high school is, what, 15?). It's not too late.

[crimsonqueen]

Yet you didn't tell us how old you are..

The short answer is.. not likely if you're over 18. It could happen but you've probably finished puberty. Especially if you haven't grown in a while.

[Asker]

I am under 18. I said that I'm a sophomore in high school, so you could reason that I am 15 or 16 years old. I can't outright say my exact age or the G@G admin will change it. Sorry about that

[crimsonqueen]

I skimmed for an age, I missed the sophomore in HS part. You have a bit of time babe!

[Asker]

ok, thanks

[Jan1ssary_]

You have chance, you should do streching workouts along with eating healthy. And sleep right on time.

[Asker]

So like yoga?

[Jan1ssary_]

Not much yoga, but its kinda like that.

[Asker]

Ok. Should I do it before or after my regular workout? And should I do it daily?

[Jan1ssary_]

Yeah you must do it daily, send me a message if you are willing to start this workout I'll tell ya.

[Keyspirit]

U will fully stop growing at age 21 so chances are 50/50 whether u still grow or not. Sum people juz stop growing tho so juz hope for the best 👌🏼

[Anonymous]

So are you like 15? I was 16 when I had my major growth spurt.

[Asker]

I heard that malnutrition can stunt your growth, so I'm worried that I won't have a growth spurt at all because I starved myself.

[Opinion Owner]

How old are you?

[Asker]

I can't say. All you need to know is that I am either 15 or 16

[Sojex]

Once every 3 weeks? Lol bullshit