As a child, many kids dream of becoming taller. Getting taller might help them play better at their favorite sport, ride that one ride at the amusement park or just reach the top shelf of their kitchen cupboard easier.
Height can vary depending on a number of factors, including genetics and diet. But there are also times when people simply happen to be born taller than usual.
Robert Wadlow
Robert Wadlow is the tallest person in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. He was born on February 22, 1918 in Alton, Illinois. He grew up to be 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, and weighed 485 pounds at his death.
In his hometown, he was known as “The Alton Giant.” He enjoyed a number of hobbies, including stamp collecting and photography. He was also a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association, Boy Scouts of America, Order of DeMolay and Main Street Methodist Church.
His height was attributed to an abnormally high level of human growth hormone due to a condition called hyperplasia of the pituitary gland. At the time, doctors did not have any treatment to stop his growth and he continued to grow as an adult.
Despite his size, Wadlow had an active lifestyle and was well-loved by those who knew him. He loved to play Hawaiian guitar and enjoy other activities that allowed him to exercise and relax.
When he was in his teenage years, Wadlow started a soft drink stand with his brother and sister. He made more than $100 one summer, and people frequently came to him not just for a drink, but for a photo with him as well.
He was also the tallest Boy Scout in Alton and had several hobbies that he enjoyed. He loved to read books and was a fan of boy’s adventure stories.
His incredible height was due to an overactive pituitary gland, and he remained the tallest man in the world until his death at 22 years old. However, he suffered from a range of health problems throughout his life, including leg braces and little feeling in his legs and feet.
Zeng Jinlian
Zeng Jinlian (simplified Chinese: Ceng Jin Lian; traditional Chinese: Ceng jin lian; pinyin: Zeng Jinlian, June 26, 1964 – February 13, 1982) was the tallest woman ever verified in modern times. She took over Jane Bunford’s record and, in the year between Don Koehler’s death and her own, she surpassed “eight-footers” Gabriel Estevao Monjane and Suleiman Ali Nashnush, according to Guinness World Records.
At the time of her death in China, Zeng measured 8 feet 1.75 inches tall. She died from complications of diabetes and gigantism, a rare condition that causes accelerated growth. Her skeleton was given to one of the hospitals near her village for medical research.
Rumeysa Gelgi is a Turkish woman who stands 7 feet 0.7 inches tall. She was re-measured this year after being named the tallest living teenager in 2014.
Her incredible height is due to Weaver syndrome, which causes accelerated growth and other abnormalities. She was diagnosed at an early age, and the condition has made her unable to walk normally and most of the time she has to use a wheelchair.
Despite her challenges, Gelgi is an inspiration to youngsters and adults alike because she is so strong and indomitable. She wants to share her story with people in order to spread awareness about Weaver syndrome and other similar conditions.
She is a member of her local community and loves to play sports. She also enjoys swimming as it helps her relax and de-stress.
She is also the world’s longest-fingered person and holds three Guinness World Records for her hands, fingers and back. She is an inspirational figure for other people with abnormal heights and wants others to see her as an example of what they can achieve if they are determined and willing to do anything.
Sultan Kosen
Sultan Kosen, a Turkish farmer born in 1982, stands at an incredible 8 feet and 2.8 inches tall. He is the world’s tallest person and Guinness World Records has certified him as such.
He has a unique stature that was born out of a condition called “pituitary gigantism,” which is caused by the pituitary gland secreting too much growth hormone. When left untreated, it can cause painful joints and overgrown limbs.
But the height comes at a price for Sultan, who is unable to attend school. He has joint problems and can’t walk without crutches. He also has a difficult time seeing, as his head is so big.
The condition is a result of his pituitary gland, which has been damaged. It’s been releasing too much growth hormone for a long time.
In 2010 he underwent surgery to remove the tumor in his pituitary gland. The procedure involves gamma knife radiosurgery, which uses focused beams of gamma rays to destroy the tumor.
Getting his condition under control was important to him, says Dr. Sheehan, who performed the surgery. He wants Kosen to be able to enjoy life more and hopefully get married one day.
Kosen has also become a cultural ambassador for his native Turkey. He has even traveled to the US and stood next to a life-sized statue of Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in history.
While Sultan Kosen is still the world’s tallest person, he has been challenged by a man from Ghana who claims to be 9 feet tall. However, if the claim is verified by Guinness, Kosen will maintain his title.
Asadulla Khan
Asadulla Khan, the tallest person in the world at 7 feet 11 inches, is a native of Kendrapada, West Bengal. He has a family of four, including his father and brother who are both under five feet tall.
The man’s abnormal height was attributed to a pituitary gland disorder called acromegaly that caused his body to produce large amounts of growth hormone. As a result, his hands and feet increased in size.
He also suffered from poor eyesight and frequent headaches. Fortunately, his condition was treated in Paris and his growth hormone levels normalized.
Sultan Kosen is another tall man from Turkey who stands at 8 feet 2.8 inches. His unusual height was caused by a benign tumor on his pituitary gland that caused him to grow faster than his body could cope with. The tumor was removed and the patient’s growth stopped.
Dharmendra Pratap Singh, an MA in Hindi literature from Uttar Pradesh, is 8 feet 1 inch tall. He has found it difficult to find love due to his height and has struggled to get a job. He has been working at an amusement park where he lets people take photographs with him.
Bao Xishun, an herdsman from Inner Mongolia, China, is the tallest man in China and ranked second in the world until 2005. He was initially a dwarf, but grew to be the world’s tallest person after becoming a giant in 2005.
His condition was caused by acromegaly and the tumor on his pituitary gland. It also affected his optic nerves, which caused him to have poor vision. He had to undergo radiation treatment, but his growth finally stopped. After that, he has worked in the Magic Circus of Samoa and tours around the world.
Naseer Ahmed Soomro
Naseer Ahmed Soomro is the tallest man in Pakistan with a height of 7 feet 10 inches. He hails from Shikarpur, Sindh province.
Despite being the tallest person in the world, he faces a number of challenges. For one, he has been told not to step out of his house because his posture and height attract crowds that can cause nuisance and other problems in the area.
Another challenge that he faces is finding shoes to fit his massive feet. He also has a medical condition called acromegaly which causes him to grow at a very fast rate.
He has always struggled to find a pair of shoes that would fit him properly until his doctor made him a pair specifically for him. His doctors have also given him a special diet which helped him to gain height.
His biggest challenge is his ability to control crowds that flock to him in public places. He says that he has received instructions from police in both Shikarpur and Karachi to avoid going out at weekends as it is difficult for them to control the crowds that inevitably follow him.
When he was younger, he tried to find love but he had a hard time because of his height. He has also struggled to find a job.
Naseer has also tried to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for his incredible height, but he has not been successful so far. He claims to have tried numerous times but the book has yet to confirm his claim.