According to scientific research done by Molecular biologist Chao-Qiang Lai of Tufts University, genetics can determine up to 80 percent of an individual’s height, whereas 20 to 40 percent can be attributed to environmental factors; nutrition in particular.

This is a popular topic, and thus many studies have estimated the heritability of human height. Often, these analyses determine heritability by estimating the extent of similarity between relatives.

However, taking into account the variables of environment, genetic factors and ethnic populations, height heritability can fluctuate from one society to another, and even from men to women.

The Heritability concept lets us explore the role genetics play in an individual’s height and the direct influence that genes have on this physical trait. Heritability can also be used to predict a person’s height if the height of both parents is known. Of course, these predictions only reflect the mean estimated height for the person and involve a margin of error, thus the actual height may be different.

From this information, we find that the environment, and factors such as nutrition,  can only change a few centimetres, approximately, for a given offspring’s height. Does that mean that no matter what happens in the child’s environment, the height can never change more than this? Not necessarily, because unique remedies and strategies and nutritional supplements such as protein, calcium and specific growth- related vitamins increase the height further. The most important nutrient for final height is protein in childhood. Minerals such as calcium, and vitamins A and D also influence height. Knowing this, we can understand why malnutrition in childhood is detrimental to height. Thus, adequate nutrition before puberty is crucial for obtaining the maximum height that one’s genetics and environment allow.

In developed countries, nutrition for childhood development is strong, which maximizes the genetic potential for height assuming no mutations. Thus, the overall heritability estimates tend to be higher, i.e., closer to the 80 percent figure mentioned at the beginning of the article. In contrast, in developing countries, nutrition deficits lead to a lower heritability.

So if you’ve drawn the short straw when it comes to your height, Altitude Shoes can add inches to your height instantly with no one ever knowing if you are wearing height shoes, or if you have been blessed with ideal genetics and an environment conducive to height!

Research shows that Altitude Shoes look AND feel better than wooden stools, and they also last longer!