According to a new study of scientist, men are four inches taller than they were 100 years ago.(dailymail )
In just over a century, scientists found the average height of European men has grown by 4 inches. European men got considerably taller in the 100 years between 1870 and 1980 and since better health was the probable cause
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| How men have gained 4 inches in height in just 100 years |
The estimate was garnered from military, medical and other records from 15 countries for young adult males aged around 21. According to researchers, the study also found that height actually accelerated in the period spanning the two World Wars. Countries in northern Europe saw the biggest growth in height between the two world wars.
The statistics of the study were drawn from a variety of sources. From data for the height-by-age in surveys and based on data for the heights of military conscripts and recruits.
The figures are for men only as the historical evidence for women’s heights is severely limited.
"Increases in human stature are a key indicator of improvements in the average health of populations.
'The evidence suggests that the improving disease environment, as reflected in the fall in infant mortality, is the single most important factor driving the increase in height.
'The link between infant mortality and height has already been demonstrated by a number of studies.' according to Professor Hatton.
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| How men have gained 4 inches in height in just 100 years |
Professor Hatton added: 'This is striking because the period largely pre-dates the wide implementation of major breakthroughs in modern medicine and national health services.
'One possible reason, alongside the crucial decline in infant mortality, for the rapid growth of average male height in this period was that there was a strong downward trend in fertility at the time, and smaller family sizes have already been linked with increasing height.'
Professor Hatton said other factors in the increase in average male height include an increased income per capita.
The study only looked at men, as there is little accurate data for the height of women for this period
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