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Staying Healthy
Why do I shrink in height as I age?
- By Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
On call
Q. I am 68 years old. I used to be 5 feet, 9 inches tall. I just visited my doctor, and my height was just over 5 feet, 7 inches. What causes me to shrink, and what can I do to stop it?
A. Around age 40, most people lose some height, and the decline often accelerates in later decades. While multiple factors contribute to this "shrinkage," maintaining bone density to help prevent osteoporosis and improving posture are two ways to stand a little taller.
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