Is it going to be two months since my last post. To say they have been eventful would be an understatement. Even though I have several topics in mind to write about, my topic for today will definitively be whether hegiht is 100 percent genetic or not.

 

Back when I was about to finish high school, I remember it was commonplace to hear something to the extent of: "If you work out at a gym or lift too much weight, you will stunt your growth". Thus, the reason why I began exercising more seriously much later in life. Regardless of it being an old wives' tale, it sounded quite convincing at the time. There was a friend nonetheless, whom seemed more eager to exercise himself than I was. He claimed height had nothing to do with lifting weights. Be that as it may, I did not believe him.

 

According to a study by Molecular Biologist Chao-Quiang Lai from Tufts University (US), 60 to 80 percent of a person's height can be attributed to genes. Whereas external factors such as nutrition are responsable for the other 20 to 40 percent. Case in point, Peter S. Visscher of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, accounted that likelihood of height being inheritable to be 80 percent. Based on a broad survey of genetic markers to 3375 pairs of twins and siblings. This could be corroborated by research done to 8798 pairs of Finish twins with similar results.

 

In summary, I would say that it indeed makes sense to believe that height is for the most part genetic. Consequently, making it one of the few priviledges that are genetically bestowed to a person since birth. Apart from some others that a person has no control over. Albeit, a person can contribute to slightly improve their hegith through the proper nutrition and exercise routine, among other factors. Such as hormonal ones for instance.

 

Sources:

- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-of-human-height/

- Super Scienced YouTube Channel.