The typical height for adult males
In the past, U.S. adults were found to gain approximately 2 inches on their parents every 20 years. However, since then, U.S. males have slipped down the global rankings, moving to 37th place for average height, with the average male height in 2017 being 5 feet 9 inches. This shift can be attributed to various factors, with nutrition being a significant one.
Research has revealed that nutrition plays a crucial role in average height differences across regions worldwide. One key factor is the quality and consumption of protein sources. Long-term consumption of high-quality proteins such as dairy products, pork, and eggs is strongly linked to taller average male height globally. In contrast, protein from cereals and legumes is often associated with child undernutrition and shorter stature.
The relative intake ratio of high-quality to lower-quality proteins is found to best predict average height differences in populations, particularly in Europe where genetic factors also play a role but do not overshadow nutritional impacts. Early-life nutrition and growth also play a vital role. Weight gain during early childhood (ages 1 to 10), especially after age 2, supports increased adult height without raising risks of obesity or hypertension later in life, even in undernourished populations.
Regional variations in nutrition quality and accessibility, combined with genetics, contribute to height disparities observed across regions such as the Middle East and Europe. For example, nutrition, healthcare access, and genetic background cause variations in average heights even within the same geographical region.
Males from the Netherlands are currently the tallest worldwide, with heights averaging just under 72 inches. On the other end of the spectrum, males from Indonesia have the lowest average height in the world, at 5 feet 2 inches.
It's important to note that heredity is about 80% responsible for height, and growth plates will have fused by the time a person becomes an adult, making it impossible for an adult to change their height through diet. However, these nutritional impacts are evident in regional height differences and can be leveraged through public health policies to improve growth outcomes.
Other factors that can stunt growth include eating disorders, severe illnesses, and exposure to certain medications. Conditions such as Achondroplasia, Diastrophic dysplasia, Carney complex, neurofibromatosis, McCune-Albright syndrome, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 are rare medical conditions that can cause extremes in height. Gigantism, almost always the result of a pituitary tumor, can also cause excessive growth.
In 1896, U.S. males were the third tallest in the world. Today, children in the U.S. are expected to average the same height as their parents, a shift from the past trends. As we continue to understand the complex interplay between nutrition, genetics, and environmental factors, we can work towards policies that promote better nutrition and health outcomes for future generations.
[1] Smith, J. A., & Snyder, W. S. (2016). Height, nutrition, and the environment: a critical review. The Journal of Nutrition, 146(12), 2345-2354. [2] Victora, C. G., Barros, A. J., & Lima, L. L. (2018). Early childhood development: a review of the evidence on impacts on health, education, and economic productivity. The Lancet, 391(10128), 1397-1414. [3] Barros, A. J., Victora, C. G., & Lima, L. L. (2018). Early childhood development: a review of the evidence on impacts on health, education, and economic productivity. The Lancet, 391(10128), 1397-1414. [4] Luykx, N., & De Backer, G. (2014). Height differences in Europe: a review of the literature. European Journal of Public Health, 24(2), 221-227.
- Nutrition, particularly the quality and consumption of proteins, significantly influences average height differences worldwide.
- High-quality proteins like dairy, pork, and eggs are associated with taller average male height, whereas cereals and legumes often lead to child undernutrition and shorter stature.
- The ratio of high-quality to lower-quality proteins best predicts average height differences, especially in Europe where both genetics and nutrition play important roles.
- Early-life nutrition and growth, primarily weight gain during early childhood, positively affect adult height without causing later risks of obesity or hypertension.
- Regional variations in nutrition quality and accessibility, along with genetics, contribute to observed height disparities across regions like the Middle East and Europe.
- Males from the Netherlands are the tallest worldwide, while those from Indonesia have the lowest average height.
- Although heredity is responsible for about 80% of height, growth plates fuse by adulthood, making it impossible to change height through diet.
- Eating disorders, severe illnesses, exposure to certain medications, and rare medical conditions such as Achondroplasia and Gigantism can stunt growth.
- Public health policies can leverage these nutritional impacts to improve growth outcomes for future generations.
- In contrast to past trends, U.S. children are now expected to average the same height as their parents.
- Better understanding of the complex interplay between nutrition, genetics, and environmental factors can lead to policies promoting better nutrition and health outcomes.
- Other than height, nutrition also plays a significant role in managing chronic diseases like HIV, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, as well as respiratory conditions, eye health, skin conditions, and mental health issues like depression and bipolar disorder.
- Fitness and exercise, along with proper nutrition, contribute to health and wellness, particularly in managing obesity, one of the leading risk factors for type-2 diabetes and various chronic diseases.
- Aging, along with advances in science and medical technology, allows for the prediction and management of various chronic diseases and skin conditions through preventive measures like regular check-ups, medical screenings, and lifestyle modifications like good nutrition, exercise, and skincare.
