I am only 4 feet 9 inches tall and I'm 17. I look like a 7 year old and I always get embarrassed by everyone, I look like a complete idiot. How can I grow taller?

I would recomend visiting an Endocrinologist. They can test your blood and see if you are making the normal amount of hormones. If you are not then they can prescribe then correct drugs to help you overcome this difficult problem. They will also be able to tell if you a simply a late bloober and may tell you that it will all be OK in time without medication. At least this will give you some peace of mind about it if nothing else.

i am 34 yrs and 4 ft 10. Other then having a problem with reaching things at the store and my 11 year old and I wear the same size clothes, her feet are actually bigger then me. I think it rocks, I look 25...who wouldn't like to look 10 years younger. Beleive me sweetie, clothes are cheaper, you look younger, people will do more for you if you put that pouty face on, and you look supercool driving a huge truck. There could be worse things in life then being vertically challanged you could not have any arms or legs or something horrible like that.

Hey, your not alone. I'm seventeen, about that height. And I look like a sixth grader. I cope with it though. It's not a hard thing really. Just because you're short doesn't mean you look like an idiot. I don't know why you think that, but it's not true.

Hey, I can really sympathise with your point, though mine wasn't quite to the same scale. I was 5 foot 4 up until the age of 17, but I've finally gotten to 5 foot 8 now that I'm 19 soon. I'd go and see somebody about it, it could simply be that your body isn't producing the right amount of growth hormones. If not, try putting a lot of calcium and protien into your diet by drinking fresh milk and red meats like beef. It won't garantee you'll grow, but it's always a helpful factor.

It could just be that you'll have a growth spurt soon! Some people don't stop growing until they are about 22! Still, don't get too down about it, your brain is still growing!

I want to share with you one of the most painful memories of my life. I was standing at a Sears Roebuck counter in Columbus, Ohio. I had just walked up; a cute 17-year old midget was there a minute earlier. The sales clerk asked me "Are you next?" and I said, "No, this little..."

"Little" is often a derogatory adjective. The last thing I would ever have done voluntarily was to belittle this dignified young woman.

I have replayed that scene a thousand times in my memory. If ONLY I had said "No, this lovely young lady was here first..."

Instead of saying what I really felt, because she was indeed a lovely young lady, I was a complete jerk and cad.

I'm 18 and I'm only 4'10" tall. I love being petite it makes me feel really cute and feminine. I have a good figure so mostly I don't get treated like a child. It does make me mad sometimes when guys pick me up like I'm a child or I can't reach something. Mostly though I think it's cool. Just enjoy who you are.

Funny thing my boyfriend is 6' tall. LOL

Why dont you get some really tall platform shoes!?

Its no problem. Most successful people are short.

I'm 5'10". I would LOVE to be shorter than most of the guys I meet. But that wasn't the hand I was dealt. So I embrace being tall. Enjoy it! One of my friends is 4'10", and really enjoys being petite. You are much, much more than your height.

Why the hell would someone mark you down for this question?

My answer is - be happy with yourself. I'm short as well, and I love being short.

It depends on weather you are a man or woman.Men dont stop growing till after woman.I dont think that you are the shortest person around and you maybe lucky to grow.What are your parents heights has usually they say short parents short kids i dont know if it is true.You can still wear clothes that are for older people and not young kids they just may need taking up.Good luck anyway.But i know that at your age you cant do anything to help increase it sorry has it should have been done earlier.

I'm 4'9" tall an recently turned 50. Unlike others here, I have never been comfortable with my height. As a young person who also had severe asthma, it made it difficult to engage in normal physical activities of childhood. Still to this day I cannot ride a "norma" 26" bike. As I have grown older, it has gotten easer, but still find myself wishing I could be average size.

i'm 22 and 4.11... only two inches taller.

there's nothing wrong with whatever height you turn out to be. i dont think you stop growing till your 20/21?

anyway, there are certain advantages to being short - i never have to get anything from the top of the cupboard :-D ha ha

the reality is, height is only a problem if you make it a problem :-)

You know this is the body God gave you and I wouldn't be ashamed of it at all. Im 5'2 (which is also short) but my mom is 4'11. My mom's not ashamed of her height, theirs no reason to be. She has always looked younger than her age because of her size, so just think you have atleast that to look forward to. If someone looks at you like you say "a complete idiot" that's their problem for being so shallow not yours.

um. i am only 4 feet 8 inches tall and i am 18, so you have an inch on me. i dont feel like i look like a complete idiot either. its nothing to be upset about. people are lame for making fun of you, what are they really doing besides stating the obvious. you get crazt benifits by being small: hanicap parking and you can get disability & stuff like. ill be honest, i love my height and i embrace it. it is easier to be reconized, even if it is just because of your height.

I'm 4'10 and just turned 18. My bf is 5'11. It worried me at first but he's okay with it so that makes me feel better. I get in cheaper at the movies and festivals. I say I'm 12 and people never doubt it. Except I have big boobs. Lmao.

Would I LOVE to be taller? Hell yes but I don't want to try any growth hormones or anything like that. I'm this short for a reason.

My parents are 5'1 and 6'1 and I am hoping that I can get taller than my mom. Who knows I could still grow some.

My biggest problem is buying jeans. In the kids section, the waist is always too small but the length is just right; in the juniors section it's the exact opposite. The waist will be just right but the length will be WAY too long. It sucks but you deal.

So, I say embrace it. There is nothing that we short people can't do, sometimes things are just harder and it makes us stronger.

~ Kay

think of it this way... you always get to be on top of the human pyramid

don't worry i consider you lucky i wish i was short i am actually looking online for ways to become shorter like most of my friends. i am a 5'7'' 12 year old giant

I dont see what that would achieve You would then be a tall seven year old idiot? Think about it..?

I'm 5'1 and considered small. Although it is a pain sometimes, I live by a teaching given to me by my great-grandmother:
It doesn't matter how tall you are, as long as your legs reach the ground.

Think about that one. It's deep.

I love being short!! Just enjoy it, and remember that every man (well, almost) is taller, and that you are the perfect size for snuggling :o)

i am twenty and only 4 feet 11 inches. im dont like me height, so i always wear heels. i just want to let you know that you are not the only one, there are actualy alot of others who are as short as you, so dont feel bad. God has his reasons. I hope i helped out a bit.

i am twenty and only 4 feet 11 inches. im dont like me height, so i always wear heels. i just want to let you know that you are not the only one, there are actualy alot of others who are as short as you, so dont feel bad. God has his reasons. I hope i helped out a bit.

I don't think anyone here on Answerbag can help you to grow taller. You are only seventeen and have a good few years growing time left, so don't despair.
Have you spoke to anyone about how you are feeling? It might be a good idea, also, if you visited your doctor, he can run tests that could determine if your size is a medical problem, you could have a thyroid problem for example, although I doubt there is anything medically wrong with you.
You are obviously very upset, and it would help if you did talk to someone about how you are feeling, but like I said, men don't stop growing until they are 25, so you have lots of time to catch up.

im 5 feet 11 inches tall, imbrace your height. i know i do.

I'm 4'10"ft and 31. When I was around 15 I complained about my height and feeling it made me look like a pre-schooler to a 14 y.o. girl who was petite like me. She said: "I know it's difficult to appreciate now but we'll be grateful when we're older". I'm sure it's something her mother or another adult told her, lol but it's proven to be so true.

Hub and I had an embarrasing experience where upon receiving our meal late, he was given coffee with complimentary sweets as an apology. I was given an icecream. I was 7 months pregnant. I don't know if they thought he was a dirty old man who'd made a teenager pregnant. That was when I was 22 and he was 31 like I am now. Things haven't got better over time. We've just grown older and used to scenarios like this. When I order icecream for my sons, the teenager selling them will usually pad my head:-s look down and smile at me and I'll smile knowing that I'm probably twice as old as he/she is.

I have that problem too. I am shortest of all my family because if it I am often literally looked down to. But because of my strong character I am able to still hang in there. You are focusing to much on things that cannot be changed. Try to change your attitude about yourself and if people don't like you then so be it you cannot please everyone but you do have to live with the person you see in the mirror.Make the best of it!

You may grow a few more inches tall with proper intake of good food. Do not give undue importance to physical appearance and worry. Our birth is not our choice. Maintain good health, study well, be good to all, lead a happy and contented life. Develop self confidence and be sure "you are not an idiot". I myself is a short person, People were very good to me through out my life.

see a doctor

good luck and blessings

Don't worry about it...there's still a chance you'll grow. And you do NOT look like an idiot. Trust me...

I grew 2 inches after I was 20, theres still hope

No way to GROW taller, but I am 5'0"...Wear heels or wedge shoes w/ a heel to them 2-3inches. You can find some great shoes at Nordstroms. I am also a SIZE 4 in Women's shoes, so that is difficult to find!!! Hope this helps ya!

I am also 4' 9" and I'm 21. I know it sucks to be so short sometimes--I hate feeling claustrophobic in the middle of a crowd, not being able to reach cabinets, having trouble reaching the car pedals, etc. But the older I get, the less often people comment on my stature. Don't worry: you don't look like a complete idiot. I don't know if you're male or female, but I know a guy who is 4' 11" and has a girlfriend and plenty of friends; I'm a girl and I have a boyfriend who is 5' 9". As long as you're healthy, don't try to change yourself!

You are about 18 now but I know others will read this as I am (I'm searching comments for my daughter who feels the same way) Many good insights here already but here are a few things I'll add that I read.

First, there are many famous people who have been under 5 feet - MOther Teresa was 5'10" as was Midori Ito, and Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the wind).

You may be less likely to break hips and bones and may therefore be more likely to live longer - ever notice home many older people are small? Some may say that it is due to the next generation being taller but they must at least consider the very real possibility that researchers are considering: short people may live longer.
Don't try to be too skinny - some well meaning people (including our doctor) tell you that it's harder to stay slim if you are small. This does NOT mean you will be fat - just the obvious that if you eat what a 6' person eats it will show more - duh! but smaller people tend to have smaller apetites (not always I know) but in any case, DON'T try to be too skinny - that has killed many people who excessively worry about being skinny. Not important so long a healthy.

Many benefits to being small as others above have stated. But the real problem is most of us want options - to have a choice because we feel freedom. Once anyone realizes they can't be short or tall or anything else, then they tend to want it more.

So here I'm going for reverse psychology on you here. You DO now have a choice of being taller without hormones (by the way, GH only is only useful if used before puberty so get a free growth chart and go in by age 6 if you want to help them (http://www.halls.md/chart/girls-height-w.htm), after puberty you can use Letrozole after but not after bone epiphyses is complete. Has side effects more in girls than boys so we are opting NOT to do this)

You can do it through . . . . . . surgery. (google makemetaller). It really does work but now that you can do it - is it really worth it? I think not. You do now have a choice though. I would choose to accept yourself as you are and rejoice in being healthy. Remember the Serenity prayer: God Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can , the wisdom to know the difference. or in this case, you can change it, but the wisdom to realize that you are you no matter what size you are - I hope this helps someone in some small way.

Hey,

I can completely understand how you feel, I know that most people around 5ft or under are quite happy with there height and it doesn't bother them at all. I am 4 feet 8 inches, it didn't affect my life that much when I was younger. I am now 37 years old, I entered the professional world of architecture 5 years back and I have been physically bullied and pushed around at work I had to take legal action with my first practice as they did nothing to help the situation. All my life at work and socially my life has been unbearable, I seem to be a target because of my height. I am intelligent strong minded and very positive but one person can only take so much. Because of the targetingb and bullying, and generally just not being accepted, I finally had a complete breakdown. I decided I must do something about as it was and still is having a direct and disturbing affect on my career and personal life in terms of confidence I'm also not tall enough to drive a car, I only have to walk to the shop and I receive abuse like comments from accross the street like dwarf or midget. So the NHS are performing leg lengthening surgery. Its a very a very painful and controvertial procedure and its the last thing I want to have to endure but my life has stopped and I don't feel I can continue without it. I need to blend in so I'm not so much of a target and I need to be taken seriously in my chosen profession.

Best Regards

In stature, you may be 4 foot 9. But in heart, yu can be 8 foot tall. Its how you percieve yourself in the world. Just think, taller people go through their own troubles everyday. Lots of people are short, and are happy. You are not alone.

(im 16, and 5'10, somedays i think im really short). Tall people feel short at times too!

Hey it seems I am not alone. I am 18 and in my second year of graduation. My height is 4 feet 9 inches. People even doubt if I have completed my school. I guess I am the shortest in my family and friends. Its really very very depressing at times. But I guess we will have to accept it. I can give up aything just to add those few inches to my height.

I'm 4 feet, and 9 inches as well, and I'm 20! So I know exactly how you feel. After grade 7, I kinda just stopped growing.. :S I did struggle a bit with it in high school, kids can be mean. But my doctor said he wasnt concerned about it because I'm healthy as a horse,I'm not over weight, or under weight. I don't worry about it too much anymore.. I think it's cute being as petit as I am. I mean... I'm smart, talented, I drive an SUV.. I can do everything that tall girls can do! Yes.. people do look at me in a funny way when I step out of my BIG CAR, to pump gas (haha) and I can't reach the top shelf at the grocery store, but I'm me.. unique, no one else is like me. So I don't think you should worry about it too much! Your in high school at that age, no? Think about it.. who IS "normal" when their in high school? A lot of changes are taking place.. But trust me, you'll soon find that when your out of high school and in "the real world" no one really cares about your size.. They'll help you get to the top shelf at the grocery store! :) So don't worry about it hun, concentrate on becoming the person you want to be in the future! :)

um. i am only 4 feet 8 inches tall and i am 18, so you have an inch on me. i dont feel like i look like a complete idiot either. its nothing to be upset about. people are lame for making fun of you, what are they really doing besides stating the obvious. you get crazt benifits by being small: hanicap parking and you can get disability & stuff like. ill be honest, i love my height and i embrace it. it is easier to be reconized, even if it is just because of your height.

I'm the same height as you and I'm 17 right now..I want to grow taller toooo

Be glad you look young at least that way you will always look young when everyone else your age gets old! Embrase it while you can, I've yet to see any one that size look like an idiot personally everyone thinks their cute. I've got a beautiful step daughter whose only 5 ft. Your different be glad don't be embarrassed be proud!~

Don't worry .
You will get taller ;; im 16 almost 17 and im 5 inches tall ;; so im short too and people make fun of me too ;; but i always ignore them but they really should think about what if that was them ? They wouldnt like it if they were the one that people made fun of . So your size doesn't matter , your mind does && they are just so immature to make fun of people like that . So, don't worry . No one looks like an idiot just because they're short ! A lot of people are short these days . Boys usually are the taller ones so yeahh . It will be okay

drink milk , sleep , exercise , nutrients , im only 11 and im answering these for u :P

I'm 19 and 4'10.5''

I never thought I was short until people started telling me I was short. I always thought I was at least 5 ft tall until I finally decided to measure my height this summer. Now I'm obsessed with my height. On some days my limbs look so unbearably small. I wear heels but even then that only makes people realize how much shorter I am. I think I stopped growing when I was in sixth grade. I don't know why. I know how you feel. Sometimes people who are only an inch taller than me feel they have the right to pick on me just because of that slight height difference. I think it makes them feel good to finally be able to pick on someone else the way they were picked on. I never pick on anyone else. Don't worry about not being taken seriously in work. I interned for a radio station this year and to my surprise I was treated just like everyone else. In high school I was the editor of my school's newspaper and literary magazine. I was surprised when several people told me they found me intimidating. I swear, it seems like everyone is taller than me. I guess it's really your demeanor and attitude that sets you apart. I'm serious, reserved, thoughtful, creative, and a hard worker. So as a result people take me as such. Don't let your height get in the way. I know it's tough.

I'm 19 and 4'10.5''

I never thought I was short until people started telling me I was short. I always thought I was at least 5 ft tall until I finally decided to measure my height this summer. Now I'm obsessed with my height. On some days my limbs look so unbearably small. I wear heels but even then that only makes people realize how much shorter I am. I think I stopped growing when I was in sixth grade. I don't know why. I know how you feel. Sometimes people who are only an inch taller than me feel they have the right to pick on me just because of that slight height difference. I think it makes them feel good to finally be able to pick on someone else the way they were picked on. I never pick on anyone else. Don't worry about not being taken seriously in work. I interned for a radio station this year and to my surprise I was treated just like everyone else. In high school I was the editor of my school's newspaper and literary magazine. I was surprised when several people told me they found me intimidating. I swear, it seems like everyone is taller than me. I guess it's really your demeanor and attitude that sets you apart. I'm serious, reserved, thoughtful, creative, and a hard worker. So as a result people take me as such. Don't let your height get in the way. I know it's tough.

im 4'9 and i date a 5'9 guy he's cute and im lucky!!!! i used to hate it but ppl think you look cute, especially if ur a girl!!!! and i look like a 14 yr old i love it. youll soon realize that being tiny is awesome
-patitamanco

after you get married and have kids, you'll be taller, perhaps

Sweetie, i am 14 years old and i'm exacly the same height as you. Unfortunately , i hate having this height, but i don't want to try hormones and that stuff...
My boyfriend is 6'2 ft and he says that he's okay with my height ^^
Don't be embarassed by your height, cuz that is what makes you unique! :D
Just, try to enjoy that height because you can do so many things with it!!!
My boyfriend helped me a lot, and now, i feel very special! :3 Hey, look, your bf can pick you up and kiss you :P Isn't that cute? :3
*hugs* xx

I'm 17 and 4ft 8 and im hitting 18 soon, I always have problems with people commenting on my height, but i have a boyfriend who loves me for me and things my height is a bonus. I have friends who are wonderful and they make me feel alot better about myself, but when i go out to the cinema i stil lget nasty comments, and when im kissing my boyfriend in public i get comments like "Wtf she looks about ten", i want to punch them in the face. :) im also worried about going clubbing and going to bars when i hit 18, the comments i will get will be insane, i but i also have a feeling it can only make me stronger :)

Hi! I don't know the answer but I'm only 4'10" and 14 years old.My friends and my sister always making fun of me!!! I don't know if I can get taller in the future.... hmmm.....