The LA Times Wonders Why Malia Obama Is So Tall
Somehow Malia Obama’s height is big news. The 13-year-old eldest daughter of the President has been garnering some attention lately, not for any wild, unruly antics, but for her height.
Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Times published an article discussing Malia’s growth spurt that has put the young teen’s stature nearly on par with her parents.
The paper reports:
Kids grow up so fast, but some seem to spring up overnight. Witness the trajectory of Malia Obama, the older daughter of President and Mrs. Obama, who at the age of 13 stands almost as tall as her mother. Estimates put her at 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10, not that unusual for a child with tall parents, but definitely taller than most children her age.
So, what’s behind Malia’s sudden sprout? Could it be she’s older than 13 and her parents have faked her birth certificate? Is it a Democratic conspiracy to appeal to tall voters? Nah…it’s just plain ol’ puberty.
Although most of us either experienced our own growth spurt or saw our peers shoot up like trees when we were younger, somehow, the LA Times decided to turn Malia’s height into a news story. Personally, I blame the media’s obsession with the first family and Barack and Michelle’s ability to keep their daughters out of the spotlight.
So instead of speculating if the Sasha and Malia have crushes or like Drake or Justin Bieber, we get stories about their height. And I’m thankful for that. Because with the way the media has honed in on the Obama family, there’s no telling WHAT they’d try to report if given the chance.
Did you go through a growth spurt as teen?
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Malia is such a pretty young lady! I didn’t experience a significant growth spurt as a teen, I’ve pretty much been the same height since I was 16 (5’7″). I used to hate it because I was so much taller than the other girls but I love my height now! I find that mini-dresses look awesome on me and long legs are very attractive as well.
@ SAA
Long live daddy long legs! That’s what we call em!!!!!!!
Are they really asking this stupid question? This is real simple:
If there is a couple where both parents are tall, then there is the likelihood of the child being tall. Have the people at the L.A. Times never attended a science class in school???
Okkkk, Why? Aren’t children suspose to grow?
I’m looking at them sideways at them for this- I’m starting to believe the American press really is as stupid as people say it is. Questioning a child on their growth spurt…I mean, who does that? LMAO!!!!
This article is from the LA Times Health Section, under the Booster Shots blog which commonly covers general health topics, including children’s growth and health. They’re highlighting Malia just to talk about growth spurts, not spotlighting anything negative.
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-malia-obama-growth-spurt-b-20111202,0,7512445.story
Besides, its the LA Times which is a notoriously Obama-positive paper. I think the writer’s just excited to see the girls growing up. Lots of people are — They are our First family. Frankly, I was surprised to see Malia’s almost as tall as her mom.
@ Emme, I agree, I don’t think they were asking why she is so tall, just merely acknowedging the fact that she is, it was seem all positive and they just used her as an example.
Like Malia, I am a fellow tally and love it!
Come on son for real. There asking about the growth spurt of a kid who has tall parents? Nothing else in the world to talk about? How much did the author get paid for that one? That’s what I want to know.
I guess there’s just not enough going on in the world for the L.A. Times to report on.
Yes, I had a crazy growth spurt. I’ve been 5’10″ since I was about 11. And I’m the shortest one in my family!
*Shrugs at the LA times*
My sister was the same height at age 12 or 13. The stuff that qualifies as news these days. I mean, for real?
What a stupid a## question. I mean hellllloooo!!…the girl has naturally tall parents.
I did go through a growth spurt. I am only 5’4 and my husband is 6’1. Our daughter is eight is 5’2 and wears a women’s 10. I think she is going to to be exceptionally tall.
Uh…ok.
I hit 5’9 when I was 13. By 16 I was 5’10 where I’ve stayed. My dad is 6’3. So, he had a tall child.
Barack & Michelle? Very disrespectful. Where’s the President & First Lady?
I did not go through a growth spurt. I am taller than both of my parents by one inch or so. However, my son is 6 and he is one of the tallest in the class. He is also more than half my height! I blame the fruits, veggies and good night’s rest.
I was about 5 feet in 6th grade by 8th grade I was 5’10 and have been 5’10 since I was 14 I am 25 now. Society can make you feel many things about being this tall. Either you are a model (if you are tall and slim), an athlete, or an ogre (if you are tall and big). One things for certain as soon as you step foot out of your house remarks will always be made about your physique. Articles like the one in the LA times are not helpful to Malia. Growing through puberty in front of the world is something I don’t think teenagers wish for Chelsea Clinton can attest to this. Sigh I feel for Malia and Sasha for the scrutiny their going to go through even if Obama does not make it to a second term (doubtful).
~Honeydew
The story isn’t about Malia, they just use her as a starting point to talk about growth spurts. Also, I don’t know too many people who were 5’9 at 13, especially women. I do agree that it is better to read about them in capacities other than hearing about their fifth mug shot (Lindsey) or what celebrity boy crush they have.
Because she’s a healthy, beautiful young Black girl!
slow news day!
“Personally, I blame the media’s obsession with the first family and Barack and Michelle’s ability to keep their daughters out of the spotlight”
I don’t think they keep their children out of the spotlight. The children go everywhere their parents do, just like most families. The LA Times is a true reflection that media in the US have nothing better to talk about. With a slew of missing people, issues with health insurance, unrest in the middle east…Malia’s height is a top story. This is some complete BS.
Stop lying the children don’t go everywhere their parents go
She is a lovely girl and I’m sure she would rather speculate on whether she has a crush on Justin Beiber than on whether she has started puberty. That is totally none of our business and I am ashamed that it’s being talked about in the media.
I have a daughter who was that height at that age, she is now full grown at 6’1″. It’s rare in the sense that they are in the 99th percentile, but since we all know and see hundreds of people it’s not like Melia or my daughter are the only very tall young person any of us has seen.