Understanding What Gets Bigger with Age and Why

September 22, 2025 •

5 min read

It's a common observation that certain body parts seem to enlarge with time, yet our bones stop growing in our late teens. The phenomenon of what gets bigger with age is often a combination of ongoing tissue changes, the effects of gravity, and shifts in body composition, rather than continued skeletal growth.

Quick Summary

Ears, noses, and feet often appear larger with age due to changes in cartilage and connective tissues, as well as the relentless pull of gravity. Additionally, a shift in fat distribution can lead to an increase in central body fat, while muscle mass decreases.

Key Points

Ears and Nose: Your ears and nose appear to get bigger due to the effects of gravity and changes in cartilage and connective tissue, not continuous bone growth.
Feet Flatten: As ligaments and tendons weaken, the arches of your feet can flatten, causing them to spread out and increase in length and width.
Fat Redistribution: Age-related hormonal and metabolic changes cause body fat to redistribute, often increasing central (visceral) fat while muscle mass decreases.
Minimal Skeletal Change: While the majority of the skeleton stops growing after puberty, microscopic growth can occur in the skull and pelvis, but this is not visually significant.
Acromegaly is a Medical Condition: Sudden or excessive enlargement of facial features, hands, and feet can be a sign of acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that is different from normal aging.
Lifestyle Impact: Factors like diet, exercise, and footwear can influence the degree of age-related changes and help maintain overall body composition and comfort.

The Surprising Science of Apparent Growth

While the skeletal system generally stops growing in early adulthood, many people notice that their ears, nose, and feet continue to change in size or shape over the years. This isn't a result of ongoing bone growth but rather a complex interplay of various physiological and environmental factors. From the breakdown of connective tissue to the redistribution of body fat, these changes are a normal, if sometimes surprising, part of the aging process.

The Ears and Nose: A Tale of Cartilage and Gravity

Perhaps the most well-known example of this phenomenon is the ears and nose. Contrary to popular belief, the bones within these structures do not continue to grow throughout life. Instead, the perception of increased size is primarily due to the behavior of the soft tissues and cartilage that make up these features.

The Cartilage Factor

The cartilage that provides shape and structure to the ears and nose contains cells that continue to divide and grow throughout life, albeit at a very slow pace. However, a more significant factor is the gradual breakdown of the surrounding connective tissue that supports these structures. As this tissue weakens with age, the ears and nose begin to sag and stretch, creating the illusion of growth. The weight of the earlobes, in particular, contributes to this drooping effect.

The Relentless Force of Gravity

Gravity is a constant force acting on our bodies, and its effects become more apparent as we age. Over decades, this constant pull, combined with the loss of tissue elasticity, causes the earlobes to lengthen and the tip of the nose to droop. These effects are not uniform across all individuals, as genetics and lifestyle factors play a role in how pronounced these changes become.

The Feet: Flattening Arches and Expanding Width

Another body part that can appear to get bigger with age is the feet. Many people find themselves needing a larger shoe size as they get older, but their feet are not actually getting longer. The changes are a result of weakened ligaments and tendons.

Loosening of Ligaments and Tendons

The feet contain a complex network of ligaments and tendons that hold the bones in place and maintain the arch. As we age, these ligaments and tendons lose some of their strength and elasticity, causing the arches of the feet to flatten. This flattening and lengthening can result in a wider and longer foot, necessitating a new, more comfortable shoe size. Factors like weight gain and prolonged standing can accelerate this process.

The Changing Landscape of Body Fat

Beyond external features, the body's internal composition also undergoes significant shifts with age, which can lead to a perception of getting bigger in certain areas.

Fat Redistribution

Research has shown that fat distribution changes with age, with a tendency for fat to accumulate around the abdomen (visceral fat). This occurs even if overall body weight remains stable or decreases. In women, this can be particularly noticeable during and after menopause due to hormonal changes. The increased central fat, combined with a decline in peripheral fat (arms and legs), can make the waistline appear larger.

Comparison of Age-Related Body Changes


Body Part	Primary Cause of Change	Nature of Change
Ears & Nose	Cartilage changes, weakening connective tissue, gravity	Apparent increase in size due to sagging and stretching
Feet	Loosening ligaments and tendons, flattening arches	Widening and lengthening due to loss of arch support
Central Body	Shift in fat distribution (increased visceral fat), muscle loss	Increased abdominal size, higher body fat percentage
Skull	Microscopic bone growth and facial bone remodeling	Very small changes in facial prominence, not overall size

Distinguishing Normal Aging from Health Conditions

While most age-related changes are benign, some forms of enlargement can signal underlying medical issues. It's important to be aware of the difference.

Acromegaly: A Hormonal Disorder

In rare cases, abnormal growth, particularly in the hands, feet, and face, can be a symptom of acromegaly. This is a serious condition caused by an overproduction of growth hormone in adulthood, usually from a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. Unlike normal aging, acromegaly-related growth is often rapid and noticeable and is accompanied by other symptoms like headaches, joint pain, and excessive sweating. If you suspect abnormal growth, it is important to see a healthcare provider.

Organomegaly

Certain diseases can also cause specific organs to enlarge. This condition is known as organomegaly. Conditions such as cirrhosis, amyloidosis, or leukemia can lead to an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) or spleen (splenomegaly). These are specific medical conditions that are not a normal part of the aging process.

Lifestyle and Prevention

While some changes are inevitable, lifestyle choices can influence how we experience aging.

Ways to Mitigate Age-Related Changes

Maintain a healthy weight: Keeping your weight in check can reduce the pressure on your feet's arches and minimize the accumulation of central body fat.
Stay active: Regular exercise, including strength training, can help maintain muscle mass, which naturally declines with age. This can help manage body composition changes.
Use proper footwear: Wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes can help slow the flattening of foot arches and prevent discomfort.
Practice good posture: A slouching posture can make you appear shorter and older. Focusing on good posture helps maintain the natural curvature of the spine.
Eat a balanced diet: A diet low in saturated fats and sugar can help reduce inflammation and combat weight gain.

Normal Aging vs. Acromegaly

Normal Aging: Gradual, subtle changes over decades. Primarily involves soft tissue and fat redistribution. Not associated with rapid, extreme growth.
Acromegaly: Noticeable and often rapid growth of hands, feet, and facial features. Caused by a hormonal imbalance, not just a normal aging process. Requires medical diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

So, what gets bigger with age? It's not a single answer, but a nuanced process involving various parts of the body. The apparent enlargement of ears, nose, and feet is primarily due to gravity and tissue changes, not ongoing bone growth. Simultaneously, fat redistribution and the loss of muscle mass contribute to a shifting body composition. While most of these changes are a natural part of getting older, being aware of them and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you adapt gracefully to these shifts. For more comprehensive health information, consult reputable resources like MedlinePlus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your ears and nose appear larger because the cartilage and connective tissues that support them weaken over time. The constant pull of gravity then causes them to sag and stretch, creating the illusion of growth, even though the bones have stopped growing.

While your feet don't grow longer in terms of bone structure after puberty, they can widen and lengthen as you age. This happens because the tendons and ligaments in your feet lose elasticity, causing the arches to flatten and the feet to spread out.

Normal aging results in gradual, subtle changes due to tissue and fat redistribution. Acromegaly, however, is a hormonal disorder that causes noticeable and often rapid, excessive growth of facial features, hands, and feet due to an overproduction of growth hormone.

Yes, diet plays a role. A healthy diet, combined with regular exercise, helps manage body weight and composition. A diet high in saturated fats and sugar can contribute to weight gain and inflammation, impacting fat distribution.

Yes, regular exercise, especially resistance training, can help maintain muscle mass and manage body composition as you age. It can also help prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of health issues associated with increased central body fat.

For most people, significant bone growth stops in early adulthood when the growth plates fuse. There is some microscopic remodeling of the skull and pelvis that occurs over a lifetime, but it is not a visible change.

An increase in shoe size due to flattening arches is a common part of aging. However, if the change is rapid and accompanied by unusual facial or hand growth, it is wise to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions like acromegaly.