Why You Get Shorter as You Age

Several factors, some of which you can control, will see you shrink as you age

Our bones are complex tissues that can adapt to the loads they are asked to carry.wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

While you may be aware that a loss of vision, hearing, and memory is a sign of aging, something that is perhaps not so noticeable is a reduction in height. This apparent shrinking is due to several factors relating to changes in bone, muscles, joints, and other tissues in your body. While a certain amount of height loss is a normal part of aging and unlikely to be associated with any health problems, significant height loss may indicate underlying issues. Understanding what happens to your body as you age is important so you can counteract some of the negative effects of aging.

As early as your 30s, age-related muscle loss, known scientifically as sarcopenia, can mean you lose muscle mass at a rate of 3–5 percent each decade. Of particular concern are those muscles in your torso, which are primarily responsible for keeping you in an upright position. A reduction in their ability to maintain your posture can make you look stooped and hence shorter.

Another reason for height loss as you age is your bone health. Bone is an extremely complex connective tissue that can adapt its size and shape in response to mechanical loads. This enables your bone to remodel itself throughout your life.

In your younger years, you go through a growth stage, depositing bone so rapidly that 90 percent of your peak bone mass is reached in your late teens. This growth is consolidated in your mid-twenties when peak mass is reached.

Around the age of 35–40, you begin to lose more bone than is generated. Eventually, this loss of bone leads to a condition known as osteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone mass and increased bone fragility. Combined, these factors result in a greater risk of fracture. While the hips and forearms are common sites for the disease, it is most common in the vertebrae (spine) where it has a negative impact on stature.

Also located in the spine and responsible for maintaining your posture are the vertebral discs. These gel-like cushions sit between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers, helping to keep the back flexible.

When we are young these discs, which are about 80 percent water, are strong and supple. As you age, the discs gradually compress and flatten. Consequently, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced. A similar effect is seen in the arches of the foot as you age when the ligaments begin to degenerate. This leads to flat arches, causing you to walk with a more flat-footed style.

Keep Your Stature

While most height loss is determined by your genes, there are some lifestyle factors you can follow to help maintain your height and, perhaps more importantly, reduce the effects that aging has on your health and well-being.

Regular exercise, especially activities that incorporate some form of weight-bearing like walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis,  dancing, and resistance exercises—such as lifting weights—are good for generating bone. While you are never too old to receive some benefit from exercise, research has shown that developing strong bones in the teenage years (when most peak-bone mass is established) offers some protection as you enter older age. This kind of exercise inherently benefits muscle growth, too, and so has the potential to protect against both osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

While a healthy balanced diet is essential for general health, foods high in vitamin D and calcium, including almonds, broccoli, and kale, also contribute to bone health. Not smoking or drinking alcohol and limiting caffeine consumption also helps.

While a bit of shrinking is a normal part of aging, it can suggest more serious issues. Ensuring that you maximize bone health and well-being throughout your life is vitally important.

Adam Hawkey is an associate professor at the School of Sport, Health and Social Sciences at Solent University in the U.K. This article was originally published on The Conversation.