why are people getting taller?

[trilobiterevival]

I'm bouncing off a thread in S&B right now about M&S making clothes for tall people only (I have no opinion on this btw).

Many replies mention younger people are now taller than what was once considered average. I think I have noticed this out and about, but what is it exactly? Is it diet, lifestyle, something else?

I am presuming this is just younger generations as we stop growing around age 18, and that hasn't changed..

yes, nutrition and higher living standards

More protein in our diets

a) better nutrition

b) better medical care

Evolution, Asda always puts the good stuff on the top shelf.

That's interesting as there is so much talk, in general, about our culture being obesogenic. All I ever hear is how our food choices are so poor nowadays.

How would medical care adjust height?

Untreated childhood illness mean children’s growth in the past was stunted.

😂

Generational better nutrition. I am nearly 50 and a short-arse, but both my parents had periods of undernutrition as children, and their parents lived through real grinding poverty. Much rarer for young people now.

Had this explained to me in a tutorial at University where I was the lone working class oik in a class of willowy old-money types. That was fun!

Also, I am nearly 50, grew up fairly privileged and ate very well but i am 5'4.
I had great medical care and no health issues, an easy birth and lot of healthy outdoor pursuits, etc. These were pretty high living standards and better than many have access to today. I just don't get it.Why am I not 6'2

Forgot to add, my parents were not tall either but both had access to a good standard of living as children.

I have a friend who thinks it is protein, now, and something to do with milk!
Are children reaching puberty sooner at all?

also

c) less smoking during pregnancy

d) tallness being seen as an attractive quality, so more successful in attracting a mate

Growth hormones fed to animals which then become meat may be contributing?

Isn't it obvious, you are generally taller than your shortest parent, so as time goes by people will get taller.

If we are talking about average population heights, I read a fascinating article a couple of years ago. We aren't "getting taller" - we are "returning to the height we used to be". Hunter-gatherers were much taller than their counterparts after we started agriculture. Men were an average of 5 feet 9 or 10 inches and women 5 feet 5 inches. We got shorter. Now we are catching up with ourselves again.

This isn't the one I read, but it is on the subject: historycollection.com/10-things-about-the-agricultural-revolution-historys-greatest-revolution/9/

ooh i dont know, shortness never hurt Kylie

Also, I am quite sure there are petites in all walks of life, having been around a bit. One the whole though, it is fascinating. The way we make assumptions about health and attractiveness is often so arbitrary, culturally dependent.

And is this occurring in other cultures, Japan, Sweden, India....USA?

5’4” is taller than average OP