I just read that Americans are no longer the tallest people in the world. They have been surpassed by many in Europe, even the East Germans. Americans have held a height advantage for decades, going back as far as the 1800s.
Doe it matter? Economists think it does. Their studies have shown that height generally rises with the level of prosperity. If society has more money to spend on its kids then they generally grow taller. Researchers believe that height is 60% genetic and 40% environment.
Height though does not seem to be only correlated with wealth. The Czech Republic has half the per capital income of the US but its population is taller. So what's going on here? Perhaps too many Doritos and video games. Has the epidemic of obese, non-exercising, slothfulness cut down our hat even while it has expanded our waistlines?
Perhaps. The answer is important. Taller people tend to make more money, live longer, and enjoy better sex.
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