Does dieting stunt growth? i have been dieting for a year with a caloric deficit of about 500 calories per day

Unlikely : It's unlikely to stunt your growth, however 500 cal per day is very extreme. If you're overweight and want to lose weight the best thing is to have a balanced diet and exercise plan. In my opinion low carbohydrate diets are favorable. With your current diet you will be at a higher risk of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.

Starvation: Fist, you are nineteen and your growth plates are closed. You are done growing. Starvation diets, the most dangerous form of dieting, can cause significant organ damage, hormonal damage, brain damage, and the list goes on and on and on. The other reason starvation diets are never the right choice is that the minute the diet ends the weight goes back on rapidly and most people get bigger.