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Gravity takes hold, and the disks, or cushions between the bones in the spine, get compressed over time. The back bones, called vertebrae end up pressing closer together, which makes a person lose a little height and become shorter.

Another reason why some older people shrink is because of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs when bone is broken down and not enough new bone material is made. Over time, bone is said to be lost because it's not being replaced. Bones become smaller and weaker and can easily break if someone with osteoporosis is injured.

Older people - especially women, who generally have smaller and lighter bones to begin with - are more likely to develop osteoporosis. As years go by, a person with osteoporosis can get small breaks in bones that are called compression fractures. These breaks cause collapse of the vertebrae and over time the person with osteoporosis can become hunched over or stooped.

46 and I am shrinking...yes, the older you get the more your spine deteriorate. It's the bone density. It shrinks. Lets put it in easy terms not lengthy ones that will confuse other readers. Before my grandmother died at 4'8" she was 5'4" and before my mother died at 4'11" she was 5' which could be heredity cause my sister right now is 44 and she use to be 4'11" and now she's 4'8" tall. As for myself, I am 5'1" and use to be 5'3" tall.

Know your bones become more crumbly (osteoporosis - Brittle bones) So naturally you start to hunch over, just enough that makes you appear shorter but slight enough not to notice a hunched back!

Not everyone loses height

Try WEBMD and look in there for a rundown.