American Height Advantage Has Disappeared

Americans used to be the tallest in the world. No more.

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.

Sol Nasisi
Sol Nasisi: Sol Nasisi is the co-founder and a past president of BestCashCow, an online resource for comprehensive bank rate information. In this capacity, he closely followed rate trends for all savings-related and loan products and the impact of rate fluctuations on the economy. He specifically focused on how rates impact consumers' ability to borrow and save. He also has authored a wee

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Comments

  • Tania

    March 15, 2009

    Hello everyone. The freethinking of one age is the common sense of the next.
    I am from Moldova and also now am reading in English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "Choose from our low fares the one that best suits you travel budget."

    Thanks for the help :-D, Tania.

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