i've heard you shrink as you age, i'm 53 and still the same height, so is it true?

Question

maybe it is when you are a true senior that it begins to happen

Answer 1

Don't say that it scares me I'm short enough already...☺

Answer 2

Although I think if you have spinal injuries or arthritic problems to hasten things along, I believe for the most part,
we start major shrinkage when we get into our mid 70's. But
I'm going by my late family. I remember at a funeral many
years ago for my grandpa, there were so many 'little' people
around that I didn't know, until I was introduced. Some women
I remembered from childhood as average sized women,
were now so much shorter than I was at 5'4". And when I
was little I had looked up to them. My grandpa had been a
big man until Cancer struck him and the shrinking process
began in earnest then. That is such a hard thing to see, is
that shrinking process. But my husband and I notice he is no
longer 6'1" as he was when we were young. He's getting
more down to my size than he ever was. I guess he needs
to start wearing cowboy boots again LOL. He's only 67 but
I see the aging process has taken hold already.

Answer 3

Yes, it is true - but you are still relatively young. I used to be 5 - 9" and am now about 5-6" - had two discs removed from my back, which has contributed to some shrinkage! The balance (as I understand it) comes from a little and serious thing called osteoporosis! Take your calcium and you should do well. I just had a bone density test done and was told that I had the bones of a 20 year old - pity the rest of me doesn't look that way too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CJ

Answer 4

Depends on your bone mass and bone structure. What used to be called shrinking in old age is now known as osteoporosis.

If you've maintained healthy bone health you may retain your height, but osteoporosis is sneaky, you don't know you have it unless you ask for a bone density test which everyone , female and male should do over the age of 45.

Answer 5

I don't know if it is true or not but I am 63 and am now just over 5' 8" when I went into the Air Force at age 19 I stood 5' 10".

Personally I just think gravity sucks...

Answer 6

Yes it's true but not at your age. My mother has begun to shrink in the last few years and she's 87 years old. You have a ways to go!

Answer 7

It depends on how healthy you are. If you have strong dense bones you won't shrink but if you don't you may shrink. It is not an absolute but it does happen. My mother isn't much older than you and she has gotten shorter.

Answer 8

You're not old enough to start shrinking yet.....Usually on the day you turn 60 you automatically shrink 3 to 3.5 inches.

Answer 9

I was 5' 6" and now I am 5' 3 1/2 ".

I always thought I was too tall and now I got my wish.

My husband was 6' 2" and he has lost 1 ".

We are both 72.

Answer 10

the spongy stuff between the discs in your spine starts to deteriorate and it narrows. When this happens you start shrinking. It may not be terribly noticable.

Answer 11

You do not shrink when you age. What happens is your muscle mass will soften, and you will tend to hunch over, giving you the appearance that you are smaller. For example, my Grandfather was really muscular back in the day. Now he is 80 and he appears to look frail and hunched over a bit. But he is still as strong as he ever was.