Besides the jitteriness and the insomnia, children have another reason not to drink coffee: it stunts their growth. Or so was once thought, according to an old wives' tale. But after decades of research on the physiological results of coffee consumption, there's no evidence that it has ANY effect on height. The genesis of this myth is unclear. Caffeine consumption was thought to be a factor in osteoporosis, which stemmed from early studies associating high intake of caffeinated beverages with reduced bone mass. Much of the research, however, that linked caffeine and osteoporosis, was conducted in populations that ALSO had low calcium intakes, a DEFINITE culprit of reduced bone health. The minor effect that caffeine MAY have on calcium absorption is easily mitigated by adding a few tablespoons of milk into your coffee. If coffee doesn't stunt children's growth, should you still limit their consumption? Perhaps, if you don't want caffeine-induced mania driving you mildly insane!