"Height is an indicator reflecting the comprehensive physical development of children, one of three pillars of physical development alongside weight and body composition," stated Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, from the Department of Pediatrics at Ha Noi University of Medicine, at a workshop on the role of micronutrients in enhancing children's stature, held on 27/11 in Ha Noi.

Height growth is influenced by genetics, nutrition, hormones, health, exercise, and living environment. Genetic factors determine 20-40% of a child's height but cannot be intervened. However, height can be improved through nutritional supplementation and lifestyle changes, such as early bedtime and increased physical activity for children.

The three golden stages for height intervention in children include the fetal stage, 0-3 years, and puberty. During the fetal stage, calcium is a mineral that forms the fetus's bones and teeth, supplied entirely from the mother via the placenta. Therefore, mothers need to supplement with micronutrients like calcium and vitamin D to support the fetus.

Students at Bui Van Moi primary school, Phuoc Long ward, 9/2025. Photo: Quynh Tran

The infant and toddler stages are when height growth speed is highest. In the first two to three years of life, a child's height can increase two to three times compared to birth, growing about 25 cm in the first year and 10–12 cm/year in the subsequent two years. This rapid growth requires a high calcium intake, needing 200 to 700 mg/day. Calcium is the primary component of bones (99% of the body's calcium) and also plays a role in nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and cardiovascular activity.

If children do not receive enough essential micronutrients during this period, their height will be difficult to fully compensate for in subsequent years. After this stage, the rate of height increase slows down, with only one significant growth spurt during puberty before growth decelerates and ends around 19 years old. During puberty, girls can gain an additional 20-25 cm, while boys can gain 25-30 cm.

Doctor Tran Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Department of Pharmacology at Ha Noi University of Medicine, stated that achieving accelerated height is a process of early, long-term, and sustainable intervention. During these critical stages, parents must focus on interventions to help children grow well. Vitamin D is the key that allows calcium to enter bones, while vitamin K2 ensures calcium attaches to the correct bone structure, thereby improving and increasing height in children.

A study by experts from Ha Noi University of Medicine, assessing the impact of vitamin K2-MK7 on the growth of 945 children aged one to 14 years, published in 10/2025, showed that the group of children who continuously supplemented with vitamin K2-MK7 at a dosage of 180-360 mcg daily had significantly improved height compared to the group that only supplemented periodically. This difference was most evident during important growth stages. For instance, children aged six to 10 years who continuously used this micronutrient showed a height change index of 0,197 cm/month, which was considerably higher than the other group.

Therefore, in addition to proper sun exposure, it is necessary to supplement with vitamin D and K2 through daily nutrition and supplements. Vitamin D is abundant in foods like fish oil, liver, egg yolks, butter, and milk. Vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods such as cheese and especially natto (Japanese fermented soybeans). Additionally, chicken and eels also contain vitamin K2.

The average height of Vietnamese people has changed over recent years, but the increase remains slow, placing Vietnam among the world's lower ranks. Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that the average height for Vietnamese men is currently 168,1 cm and for women is 156,2 cm. Compared to 10 years ago, young men have increased by 3,7 cm, and young women by 2,6 cm. Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Vietnamese height ranks behind Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Le Nga