Growing up can be hard. When you’re in school and going through puberty – you might be worried about how long things will take to develop like other guys might have.
Puberty, as a general rule, should finish for guys around 16-18 but maybe not.
You may have heard from a teacher or online that guys continue to grow until they’re 25 – but is there any truth in that?
Today, we’re going to look into it. Do guys grow until 25?
Table of Contents
The Basics
Puberty is where we begin to develop into the person we will be. Some guys begin puberty as young as 9, but some don’t begin to develop until 15.
Even if you were to hit puberty at the age of 15, the chances are the growth process would finish at around age 20 – but this differs from person to person, so some guys can grow into their mid 20s.
Research has stated though that a male brain might not develop entirely until the age of around 25 and develop to the top of their muscle mass between the ages of 20 and 30.
Puberty generally lasts around 2 years but can be 5 or longer. If you’re experiencing puberty for a longer period of time, it doesn’t correlate that you’ll be taller or more muscular than the next man.
Some people experience different levels of puberty at different times, so one boy might grow facial hair whereas the other boy’s voice is croaky but they’re both at the same age.
Factors In Growth
Most areas of your body’s make-up are due to a multitude of things. The key ones being:
Genetics
Genetics are undoubtedly the biggest factor in determining your overall growth. You can work out how tall you’ll likely be by looking at your parent’s height – however this isn’t a 100% definitive indicator. It’s estimated that around 80% of our growth is factored by genetics.
Nutrition
Deficiencies in certain vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients can lead to stunted growth. Protein deficiency is a common one that can affect children’s growth.
Environmental factors
During our life, environmental factors can affect our personality (through things such as abuse) but they can also affect our growth, either through our personal choices or by things around us.
For example, if we grow up in a household of smokers, we might experience second hand smoke damage which can stunt your growth. Another example is being exposed to caffeinated drinks such as coffee too young.
Finally, being exposed to drugs, alcohol or other harmful substances either during puberty or in the womb can all affect growth.
Sleeping factors
Growth hormones are released during our sleep which help with the development of our bones. Not getting enough sleep might cause growth problems.
However, lack of sleep can be caused by other problems which can cause your growth to be stunted such as psychological issues, ill health or poor home environments.
Medication
There are certain medications such as the ones used to treat ADHD that have been suggested affect growth rates.
Overall Health
There are many conditions that can affect growth such as:
- Turner syndrome
- Down syndrome
- Bone disease
- Thyroid disease
- Spina bifida
Can You Do Anything To Influence Your Growth?
As genetics is the primary factor of your overall growth, there is very little you can do that will change the inevitable. However, there are some things that might help with certain things:
Posture
Postural changes can add some extra height if that’s what you were looking for. Good posture can help with overall health anyway and assist to prevent spinal problems in later life. To promote a good posture, you could:
- Stretch regularly
- Take time out from the computer, you’re usually sat slouched
- Exercise regularly
- Work out and stretch your core
- Sit with correct posture more frequently
- Keep a good weight through diet and exercise
- Practice yoga
Changing Your Environment
This is a difficult one but if you feel you’re in an environment that is affecting your health, it’s worth speaking with a professional for help.
Law enforcement or staff at your school can help if you are not of age to do so. In the meantime, you can try and avoid things like second hand smoke or poor conditions.
Health
If there are things that are affecting your growth such as smoking, alcohol, drugs or poor diet – you can get some help or do some basic things to prevent permanent damage. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages, tobacco products, alcohol and drugs.
Try to get enough sleep every night and get enough regular exercise. If you are struggling with mental health, you should try and seek help as soon as possible from a trained professional, friend or family member.
I’m Worried About My Growth – Should I See A Doctor?
If by the age of 25, you believe you have not fully grown and you are worried – it is wise to seek medical advice.
It is important to reassure everyone though that we are all different, so there is no exact time to grow to a certain standard.
However, no evidence of puberty or growth could indicate medical problems which might be able to be treated, so medical assistance might be incredibly helpful.
If your child is showing signs of growth problems, take them regularly to the pediatrician and track their progress over time. The doctor will be able to assess if intervention is required.
What To Remember
We are all different, but when answering if guys stop growing at 25 – the answer is generally yes, but not for everybody. If you are worried, seek medical advice. Post-puberty, growth plates on your long bones begin to fuse – once that has happened, you can do little to change this.
If any of the potential factors have applied to you, then seek assistance from a professional who will be able to assist you.
Finally, maintaining a healthy diet and good exercise program will always be beneficial to your overall health, so it’s important to keep this intact.
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