eli5: how do people shrink and where does the height go?

Question

Just found out my colombian dad used to be 5’7/8, he’s 5’4 rn

In: 1

Answer 1

For a lot of people wear and tear on you spine and the force of gravity eventually causes some of your vertebrae to fuse together and your spine to curve.

Little old ladies have that distinctive curve to their backs, that’s what causes you to get shorter as you get older