Height Calculator – Best Child Height Predictor

Child height predictors

The child height calculator uses a series of formulas and statistical data to predict a child’s adult height based on 6 simple variables (child’s gender, age, height and weight, mother and father’s heights).

A second method that can be used is the gender-specific mid-parental three step method:

■ The first step is to add the parental heights together (whether provided in inches or centimeters).

Mid-parental height = (mother’s height + father’s height) / 2

■ The second step is to add to the value obtained at step 1, either 5 inches (13cm) if the child’s gender is male or subtract 5 inches if the gender of the child is female.

■ The third step is to divide the value obtained at the second step by two, which finds the end results – the child’s future adult predicted height.

Girls Height Formula = (Mid-parental height – 5 inches) / 2

Boys Height Formula = (Mid-parental height + 5 inches) / 2

Whilst height predictors can estimate a future adult height to a degree of accuracy, ultimately the rhythm in which children develop is determined by genetic and environmental factors, general health, nutrition and level of exercise during childhood, factors which cannot be completely accounted for in a model.

1. Genetic determination – child’s adult height linked to that of the mother and father;

2. Nutrition – a child with a nutritiously rich diet during childhood and adolescence will develop harmoniously;

3. Hormone influence – with specific importance of the thyroid and growth hormones;

4. Exercise levels – children who practice sports tend to develop better than their non-exercising peers;

5. Genetic conditions – some syndromes impact on height growth;

6. Corticosteroid medications – can also affect rate of growth.


Impact of genetics on height

It is generally accepted that, from the factors affecting growth, 60 to 80% of the individual’s height is determined by genetics and only the remainder on environmental factors.

A study by Silventoinen et al. on adataset of 8798 Finnish twins found that heritability influence on height was, on average, of 78% in men and 75% in women and that values varied between ethnic populations. Other studies have found that in Asian and African populations, the height heritability is notably lower, at around 65%.

Height Calculator – Best Child Height Predictor

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