Why do so many people get shorter as they age?

Age-related slouching, also known as kyphosis, occurs when muscle fibers age and become depleted. This causes the muscles around the spine to weaken, making us less able to stand up straight and resist gravity.
Kyphosis can be prevented by maintaining an active lifestyle and engaging in regular exercise. It is important to strive for this throughout life, as it is much easier to avoid kyphosis by staying active as we age.

Vitamin D deficiency and impaired calcium absorption by the kidneys can also exacerbate the process, sometimes leading to the development of osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and porous. Vertebrae can collapse under their own weight due to loss of bone mass, resulting in compression fractures.