Yes, being fat, particularly during childhood and adolescence, can influence height, but not in a way that generally leads to taller adult height.
Here's a breakdown of how excess weight affects height:
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Childhood Growth Spurts: Obese children often experience accelerated growth and may be taller than their peers for their age. This is due to hormonal influences related to excess fat.
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Early Puberty: Obesity is associated with earlier onset of puberty. While this might lead to an initial increase in height during childhood, it can also result in a shorter overall growth period.
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Adult Height Potential: Despite being taller as children, obese individuals typically do not attain taller adult heights. The early onset of puberty and accelerated growth can lead to the growth plates in bones closing sooner, effectively limiting their final height. The excess fat impacts growth processes negatively.
In summary: While obesity might make a child taller than average temporarily, it typically doesn't translate to increased adult height and can even lead to a shorter final height.
