Big and Little Facts About Your Height

It’s no secret that adults grow shorter as they age, but it may start earlier than you think: Both men and woman may begin slipping in stature as early as age 40, decreasing by half an inch a decade, says John Whyte, MD, MPH, chief medical expert and vice president for health and medical education at The Discovery Channel and author of Is This Normal?

Behind the shrinkage: the discs in your spine, which lose water and begin to compress over time. Osteoporosis, a bone-weakening disease that affects up to 10 million Americans, can exacerbate the problem.

The good news is that working on your posture may help counter height loss. “One of the most important aspects of maintaining height is proper posture,” Sinett says. Stretching, strength exercises, yoga, and working with a chiropractor or physical therapist can help.

In addition to perfecting your posture, consider your closet if you’re hoping to add the appearance of inches to your frame — and it’s not just about high heels.

“Dressing to look taller is about appearing proportional,” says Sharon Haver, a New York City-based stylist and founder of FocusOnStyle.com. First, dress in monochromatic, tonal palettes. Avoid wearing sharp contrasts in color like white and black, which breaks up your body and makes you appear shorter.

Keep heels and accessories like belts and purses in proportion, too (don’t sport super-wide belts or huge purses if you’re short). If you want to don monster heels, wear pants that cover your shoes to visually add length. Finally, choose tailored clothing to avoid looking boxy, which will make you look wider and shorter.