Height is irreversible; you only get one chance in life, and this is a worthwhile investment, father says
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenZoey ZhangPublished: 4:00pm, 25 Jul 2026A father in central China, who spends 6,000 yuan (US$880) a month on “growth shots” for his daughter, has ignited a heated online debate regarding height anxiety.
According to mainland media outlet Dazhong Daily, the father, surnamed Li, lives in Changsha, Hunan province, and consistently pays for growth hormone injections for his 12-year-old daughter.
Before starting the treatment, the girl experienced a growth rate of only two to three centimetres per year. However, with the injections, she reportedly gained four centimetres in just six months.
“I have specific expectations for her height,” Li explained, noting that growth tends to slow after puberty.
While he has not disclosed a desired height or career aspirations for his daughter, he emphasised that his goal is to boost her confidence and poise.
Li stated to the media: “Height is irreversible; you only get one chance in life. This is a worthwhile investment.”
