The average height for men and women has increased substantially over the past century, but varies depending on location and several other factors. Indonesian men have an average height of 62.25 inches (158.12 cm), the lowest in the world.
Most of this is due to an increase in nutrition or nutrition. Health factors at the individual and population level also matter.
On average, a man would be taller than their great-grandfather. However, how much is higher will vary significantly by region, nutritional status, and other factors.
In this article, we learn about the average height of men around the world, what factors contribute to it, and medical conditions that affect height.
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Average height for men by region
a line of men of average height 1024x575 - What is the Average Height of a Man in the World?
Mean height for men varies by region, health and nutrition.
In 2017, the average male in the United States measured 69 inches (175.26 cm). About a century ago, the average height in the US was 67 inches (170.12 cm). One inch is 2.54 cm.
Even though this marks a growth of more than 2 inches, the growth rate of people in the US has slowed down compared to other countries.
In 1896, US men were the third tallest in the world. Since then, they have moved up to 37th place for average height.
This is not because men in the US are shrinking. Other countries are growing at a faster rate while the US is increasing its average height.
Every 20 years, US adults gain about 2 inches from their parents. However, today's children will be on average as tall as their parents.
Over the past several decades, US children have faced fewer growth-stunting or health problems, so they grow taller. However, as this health improvement has taken place over the past 20 years, children are no longer growing any taller than their parents.
A 2016 study in the journal eLife reports that countries that experienced more significant improvements in health and nutrition had higher average heights.
People from East Asia have seen significant high rises over the past century. Iranian males have outgrown men from other countries, with height increasing by an average of 6 inches during this time.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, malnutrition has stunted growth, reversing height gains over the past two decades.
Boys born in the Netherlands are the tallest in the world, with an average height of just under 72 inches (182.88 cm). Those from Eastern Europe are also at the top of the list.
Indonesia has an average height of 62.25 inches (158.12 cm), the lowest in the world. Malawi is second, with an average height of 63 inches (160.02 cm). Yemen, Laos and Madagascar also have some of the shortest men in the world.
In Britain and Australia, the average man is about 70 inches (177.8 cm). In France, the average man measures 69.5 inches (176.53 cm).
In most cases, female height follows male height, so countries with taller men also have more women.
Factors affecting height
About 80% of height is inherited. This means that 80% of the difference in height between people is due to genetic factors. Genetics may have a stronger influence on differences in height between individuals living in environments that offer quality nutrition and less exposure to disease.
However, under more challenging conditions, factors such as diet and exposure to disease can significantly affect altitude.
Other factors that can affect height include:
Birth weight: Birth weight is the result of many factors, including genetics and nutrition in the uterus. It is also a significant predictor of altitude.
Preterm birth: Premature babies tend to have a lower birth weight, and preterm birth is also an independent factor that can affect height. Therefore, premature babies can grow into shorter adults.
Hormone: Hormones affect growth throughout life, especially during puberty. Hormonal imbalance can make people too tall or short.
Nutrition: Nutrition is an important factor in growth. People who are malnourished may not grow as tall, especially those who are not getting enough calcium , vitamin D , or other important vitamins and minerals.
Geographical location: There is a significant relationship between geographic location and ethnicity, which can contribute to altitude. Beyond these factors, location affects exposure to natural sunlight, which is a source of vitamin D. Location can also affect a person's access to healthy food, poverty levels and overall health.
Stunted growth: Factors that inhibit growth can cause people to grow less tall than they should be. These factors may include eating disorders, severe illness, and exposure to some medications.
Medical conditions that cause extreme altitude
Several health conditions can affect height, such as diabetes , cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and cancer . A number of other conditions can also cause extreme altitude, such as:
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is a medical condition that causes unusually short arms and legs. This is also a major cause of dwarfism.
People with achondroplasia were an average of 48 inches (4 '0 ") tall.
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) causes a person to develop a shorter than average torso .
It's also a genetic condition, but many people don't receive a diagnosis until childhood.
Pituitary tumor
Children with adenomas, or tumors of the pituitary gland, can secrete too much growth hormone . This caused them to grow much taller than they should have.
Gigantism is almost always the result of a pituitary tumor, although some rare medical conditions can also cause overgrowth. This includes:
Carney Complex
neurofibromatosis
McCune-Albright syndrome
several types of endocrine neoplasia 1
Very tall people are also at risk of several health problems. Their excessive size can put a strain on the metabolic system and cause cardiovascular problems, including an enlarged heart.
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What is the relationship between height and weight?
There is a strong relationship between height and weight when it comes to health. Working towards a healthy body mass index ( BMI ) involves increasing your body weight proportionately.
This means that two people of the same weight can be obese or underweight if they are significantly different heights.
A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9 . A BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates overweight, while a BMI above 30 indicates obesity. A BMI below 18.5 is a sign of being underweight.
Although BMI is not an exact science and cannot provide a completely accurate picture of health status, it does show that height and weight are related to one another.
For the average man in the US (height 69 inches), a healthy weight is 128–169 pounds (about 58–77 kilograms).
People who are overweight or obese may be susceptible to a variety of medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
BMI can be calculated here.
QUESTION:
Am I stuck with my height, or is there a way to make myself taller through dieting?
ANSWER:
Heredity is about 80% responsible for height, and there's nothing someone can do to change that. The growth rate stops when a person becomes an adult.
Another 20% of a person's height is due to good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and exercise as a child. Because of this, there is little adults can do to change their height.
All content is informational and should not be construed as medical advice.