High School

I'm currently 176 cm tall and weigh 175 pounds. I just turned 14 today. What would be my maximum height if my mother is 5'6" and my father is 5'9"?

Answer :

Predicting a person's maximum height can be challenging because it depends on various factors, including genetics, nutrition, health, and environmental influences. However, we can use a simple genetic prediction method called the "mid-parental height formula" to estimate your potential maximum height. Here's how it works:

  1. Convert Your Parents' Heights to Centimeters:

    • Mother's height: 5 feet 6 inches is approximately 167.64 cm.
    • Father's height: 5 feet 9 inches is approximately 175.26 cm.
  2. Calculate the Mid-Parental Height:

    • For boys: Add 5 inches (approximately 12.7 cm) to the average height of your parents.

    [tex]\text{Mid-parental height (cm)} = \frac{\text{Mother's height (cm)} + \text{Father's height (cm)} + 12.7}{2}[/tex]

    [tex]= \frac{167.64 + 175.26 + 12.7}{2} \approx 177.8 \text{ cm}[/tex]

  3. Consider the Height Range:

    • The estimated height can vary by about 5 cm above or below this prediction due to individual factors.

    So, your estimated maximum height could be around 177.8 cm, with a typical range of approximately 172.8 cm to 182.8 cm.

Remember, this is just a prediction. Factors such as nutrition, health, and physical activity can also significantly influence your growth. Keep in mind that you may continue to grow, as many boys grow until around age 16 to 18.