Question about weight gain and height - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

12-09-2002, 12:29 PM

OK this may sound a little weird. I work with this one girl and she told me the other day that she used to be very skinny and gained weight which made her shrink 2 inches. I mean literally shrunk 2 inches shorter. I never heard of that before. Can gaining weight really make you shrink? Can that happen? I always thought that once you grow to be a certain height you stay that way. Has anyone heard of this? Please let me know thanks.

Absinthe · 12-09-2002, 06:57 PM

You're kidding, right?

I don't believe it is possible to shrink unless your spine gets compressed somehow. Highly unlikely with a few extra pounds of weight.

rhody · 12-09-2002, 06:58 PM

I heard years ago the opposite.... Gaining weight can make you a little taller (a small amount in general). And visa versa...losing weight can make you a little shorter.

I remember it being something like a person weighed 300 pounds and lost 120 pounds, and found themselves an inch or two shorter. I'm sure some people here may be able to give you exact measurements and case histories based on their own experience or of people they know.

12-10-2002, 11:26 AM

No I'm not kidding. She really did tell me that she got 2 inches shorter. I was very surprised when she told me this.
With me it was the opposite. I looked much taller when I lost weight since I'm tall to begin with.

12-12-2002, 10:48 AM

How can your spine get compressed??