I have a strange question.
Do people grow (in height) in their 20's?

The reason I ask is because I had a physical done for a life insurance policy recently and nearly got into an argument with the nurse about my height.
Since I was 16, I have believed that I am 6"4". That is what the high school put into the sports programs and that is what the military told me my height was back in 1991.

Anyway, the nurse even had me take off my shoes and socks and stated that I was 77". I told her that I was 76" and she proceeded to measure me again and reiterate that I was 77".

Has anyone else experienced this?

I haven't grown since I turned 18 but I've measured between 75" and 76" many different times in the 13 years since. I think it all depends on my posture. Are you standing up straighter?

I haven't grown since I turned 18 but I've measured between 75" and 76" many different times in the 13 years since. I think it all depends on my posture. Are you standing up straighter?


I guess it's possible, but generally when I have had my height measurement taken, they have me put my back against the wall and tell me to stand up straight.

Short answer. You definetly are not done growing at 16.

Short answer. You definetly are not done growing at 16.
Correct. From about 15~16 years old through your early-to-mid 20's, the only thing that happens is bone structure solidifies and completes its densification.

-R

Was the nurse shorter than you and looking up at it? She probably read it wrong if she did that.

Anyway, the nurse even had me take off my shoes and socks and stated that I was 77". I told her that I was 76" and she proceeded to measure me again and reiterate that I was 77".

Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes you can grow in height in your 20s. In your case you are talking about a pretty small percentage increase in height.

In my case, I increased in height almost an inch at the age of 45. It is probably not due to any actual growth at all. It is due to posture change from opening up the normal angle of my hips and straightening my spine up a bit, possibly with better hyrdation of the discs etc. I found out the same way - I was going for insurance and I had been a little over 5' 6" for decades, but now I am just a hair over 5' 7".

So you might be growing. But you might also actually gain height from straightening up if you have been lifting heavy for legs and back.