Is your height determined by your genes or by your diet?

Question

I am 22 years old and I have settled at 6'4" (have not grown since age 19). My mother is 5'6", my father is 5'10" and my sister is 5'5". Growing up I ate a lot and was overweight quite a bit. I drank lots and lots of skim milk. Naturally, therefore, I attribute my current height to my diet. However, I have read on here that one's height is determined by his or her genes. So which one is it? - DIET or GENES?

Answer 1

A bit of both I would think. If you have tall parents then you are more likely to be tall. But since each generation seems to be taller than their parents this would suggest it is down to improved diet (at least a higher calorie diet).

Answer 2

I asked a Genetisist this very same question. My dad was 5'9" and mom was 5'6' tall. I'm 6'5" tall. So i was curious if i was adopted. I was told that height ran in my family probably two generations back and just showed up when i was born.

Also, i have a sister who is 6' tall a brother 5'7" and another sister 5'5" tall. So i'm going with what i was told by that doctor. I'm saying it's in the Gene's.

Answer 3

The only time I have ever heard of diet being a cause for gaining height, is when blood is one of the main food substances in the diet. I am not referring to vampires, but Watusi tribes of Africa. They are nomadic and depend on their cows for food and they drink large amount of the blood of the animals. It is said to be the reason for their extreme height. But I don't know if this true or has been proven.
But genes are the reason for our growth and height.

Answer 4

Genes. Had you been malnourished, you would have been smaller. But overeating does not make you taller. Your genes are not just from your mother and father, but also from their parents, so you are a mix and your height is no doubt a derivative from grandparents or even greatgrandparents that were taller.

Answer 5

It is Genes.

Answer 6

i think both of them