Shrinking?

[Luminal]

I was curious if there was any condition or side-effect of medical treatment that caused one to have a smaller body (not thinner necessarily... body fat ratio not affected or affected minimally) in general, particularly the skeletal frame and possibly the organs.

 

I know there are plenty of things that cause an increase in body size, naturally or unnaturally, just wondering if the opposite existed. This question isn't completely limited to humans; other examples in nature would be appreciated as well.

 

Or is growth basically a permanent effect on organisms? Obviously, I'm speaking of changes that don't end in the death or severe harm.

 

Thank you.

Edited October 15, 2008 by Luminal

[Mr Skeptic]

Just get older, you'll lose several inches height. Um, it will end in severe harm and death, but then you probably aren't planning on living forever either.