In Other Journals

Ever get that shrinking feeling? We tend to become shorter with age and this may be by as much as 4.5 cm by age 70, according to a recent observational study of about 8610 older French women. Since loss of height is considered as an indicator of osteoporosis and vertebral fracture, the researchers set out to determine how accurately the women reported their current height. Only 2% maintained the same height as reported or recalled from their younger days, while most overestimated their current height by 2.4 cm. Previous vertebral fracture and thoracic kyphosis were strong determinants of height loss. The authors recommend measuring actual height of postmenopausal women, rather than relying on reported estimates.