World of tall and short people

They found, for instance, That South Korean women and Iranian men Showed the Largest INCREASES in average height over the past 100 years, with South Korean women gaining an average of 8 inches (20.2 cm) Between 1916 and 2014, and Iranian men growing an average of 6.5 inches (16.5 centimeters) Taller. [ Know Your Roots? Human Evolution Quiz ]

Men and women in the United States ALSO Experienced a growth spurt, BUT to a Lesser Degree. In 1914, US men Were the third tallest in the world, and US women Were the fourth tallest. Despite But INCREASES in height of 2.2 inches and 2 inches (6 cm and 5 cm), respectively, US men are now ranked 37th are ranked 42nd and women, the study found.

In the United Kingdom, both men and women have gained about 4.3 inches (11 cm) over the past 100 years, jumping from 57th to 38th place (for women) and 36th to 31th place (for men). In China, the stature of men and women has the increased about 4.3 and 3.9 inches (11 cm and 10 cm), respectively, from 1914 to 2014.

In the modern world, the top 10 tallest Nations are all in Europe, and none of them are English-speaking Nations, the researcher found.

Roller-coaster trends

Some COUNTRIES hit plateaus over the past 30 to 40 years, although Showed THEY INCREASES in height During the first half of the century, the researcher found.

For instance, the United States plateaued, as did the United Kingdom, Finland and Japan. However, other countries, such as Spain, Italy and SEVERAL Latin American and East Asian countries, are still Increasing in height , THEY found.

In contrast, other countries, especially Those in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East, Actually have seen declines in height over the past 30 to 40 years.

In These countries, the stagnation or decreases in height could be due to a mix of the WEALTHY people already receiving the maximum AMOUNT of nourishment and health care, and Lower-class people getting subpar nutrition, especially During pregnancy, study co-author James Bentham , a research associate at the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, told Live Science.

Why height matters

People's height is Partly Determined by genetics, BUT ALSO nutrition and environmental factors play a role, the researcher said. Because Conditions such as childhood Illness and Poor During pregnancy and childhood nutrition can stunt growth, the average height of people can serve as a proxy for how healthy their Plot nation is, the researcher said.

Moreover, being Taller is Associated with longevity, and higher education The better earnings , the researcher wrote in the study. ALSO Tall people are less likely to experience heart disease and stroke, and their Plot Taller women and children are less likely to have complications Before and After Childbirth, THEY said. [ Blossoming Body: 8 Odd Changes That Occur During Pregnancy ]

But it's not all rosy for tall people. Research Shows That tall people are more likely to get read cancers , Including colorectal, breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly pancreatic and prostate cancers, THEY said.

"This study gives us a picture of the health of Nations over the past century, and Reveals the average height of read Nations may even, be shrinking while others continue to grow Taller," study lead researcher Majid Ezzati, a professor at the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said in a statement . "This confirms we urgently need to address children and Adolescents' environment and nutrition on a global scale, and Ensure we're giving the world's children the best possible start in life."

That Ezzati added the English-speaking world, especially the United States, "is falling behind other high-income Nations in Europe and Asia Pacific." These Differences in height, when combined with reports about the increased obesity, could be a red flag about people's health, and emphasizes the need for better nutrition throughout life, he said.

Quick facts

The average height of 18-year-old men has dropped by as much as 2 inches (5 cm) over the past 40 years in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa , Including Sierra Leon, Uganda and Rwanda.
Australia was the only non-European country to be in the top 25 in 2014; its men ranked No. 18 and its women ranked No. 15.
In East Asia, South Korean and Chinese men are now Taller than Japanese men.
Adults in the South Asian countries of Bangladesh and India have heights That are plateauing, at about 2 to 4 inches (5 cm to 10 cm) Shorter than adults in Japan and South Korea.
The smallest men in 1914 Lived in Laos, with an average height of 5 feet (153 cm), Which is similar to the height of a well-nourished 12-year-old boy today.
In 1914, the women Shortest Lived in Guatemala , with an average height of 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm), the same height as a well-nourished 10-year-old girl today.

The Nations with the tallest men in 2014 (with their Plot 1914 rankings given in brackets):