Can Extra Weight Make You Shorter?

soulfulsally
soulfulsally Posts: 326
in Health and Weight Loss
My kids decided to take my height this morning and I'm just under 5'3". I had to do another check because I should be 5'4". I know we can shrink a little as we age, but I'm only 36. Could extra weight compress the spine enough to cause a shrinkage like this? Did anyone ever regain their lost inch(es) after losing a lot of weight?

Replies

  • TheRightWeigh
    TheRightWeigh Posts: 249 Member
    Well, obviously i've always noticed plenty of people look taller when they lose weight. but recently, I've seen people report gaining an inch or two after losing a large amount of weight. I hope it's true. I kinda want to be 6'5''. I'm 6'3' and some change now...(depending on the day.) 6'5" sounds nice...:glasses:
  • natachan
    natachan Posts: 149
    Maybe a little, but I wouldn't be much. Most of your height is determined by your bones, so that's not going to change. The compression on your joints might force you down slightly, but I wouldn't think it would be much more than half an inch or so.
  • TheRightWeigh
    TheRightWeigh Posts: 249 Member
    Drat.
  • Ruthe8
    Ruthe8 Posts: 423 Member
    How long since the last time you had your height measured? Poor posture could cause a significant difference. That could result from extra weight, age, or just a bad habit.
  • ccebohmygod
    ccebohmygod Posts: 27
    I personally believe it is possible. I have lost just 25 lbs but have measured an inch taller since. I feel I stand taller.
  • soulfulsally
    soulfulsally Posts: 326
    It's been years since last having my height measured. I know my posture has been habitually bad, but that was since childhood and I've been really focusing on improving it for a couple of months now.

    There was another thread on here about people with disc degeneration. I have that. It clicked in my head that the loss of height and degeneration are connected. Though I'm still hoping for a gain in height when this weight comes off.

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