2023-08-03 06:29:13
German Men and Women Getting Taller, Impacting Health Risks: Study
Berlin (dpa) – The average height of German men and women has significantly increased over the past century, and this change in body size can have an impact on the risk of various illnesses, according to a recent study.
Statistical data reveals that German men measured an average of 1.67 meters in 1896, while in 2021, the average height rose to almost 1.80 meters. Similarly, women’s average height climbed from 1.56 to 1.66 meters during the same period. While factors such as lifestyle and health-conscious choices play a significant role in overall health, body size also plays a part in determining susceptibility to certain diseases.
One area where body size has been found to have an impact is diabetes. The genetic factors related to body growth affect the amount of fat in the liver and insulin sensitivity, according to Professor Norbert Stefan, a clinical-experimental diabetologist at the University Hospital Tübingen. This means that taller individuals have a lower risk of developing diabetes, as they have less fat content in the liver and better insulin sensitivity compared to their shorter counterparts.
An evaluation conducted in May 2023 supported this finding, suggesting that larger individuals across all age groups have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for this condition also include severe obesity and lack of exercise. The study, led by Karel Kostev, the scientific head of epidemiological research at the contract research institute IQVIA, analyzed the data of 780,000 adult patients in collaboration with a team of internists from the University Hospital Düsseldorf.
Their conclusion reveals that for every ten centimeters decrease in height, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases by 15 percent in women and 10 percent in men. However, no connections were found between body size and the development of type 1 diabetes, which typically occurs in childhood or adolescence due to an absolute lack of the hormone insulin.
Additionally, body size has been linked to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The University Hospital Düsseldorf evaluated data from almost 660,000 patients, indicating that smaller individuals are more likely to develop high blood pressure or experience strokes. According to Prof. Stefan, taller people have certain advantages, such as lower levels of fatty acids, LDL cholesterol, glucose, and liver proteins. These factors contribute to a lower risk of heart attack.
The Düsseldorf dataset revealed that shorter individuals have a higher risk of coronary heart disease, which occurs due to narrowed blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks. However, taller individuals have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm.
Tall people are at a disadvantage when it comes to the risk of thrombosis. According to Prof. Stefan, the longer the extremities, the longer blood has to be pumped up to the heart, increasing the likelihood of thrombosis occurring in the deep veins of the legs. The Düsseldorf study and a Swedish analysis from 2017 also confirmed the higher risk of thrombosis in tall individuals. Additionally, US researchers found that tall people were more prone to atrial fibrillation and varicose veins, which can contribute to the development of thrombosis.
There is also a correlation between body size and the frequency of cancer. The University Hospital Düsseldorf study indicated that larger individuals are more susceptible to developing cancer. For every ten centimeters increase in height, the risk increases by 11 percent in women and 6 percent in men. Professor Stefan suggests that increased consumption of dairy products and red meat, observed globally but particularly in China, may contribute to the taller stature and the increased risk of cancer. Excessive animal protein consumption activates growth genes and promotes stronger cell growth, elevating the risk of developing the disease.
However, it is important to note that the link between body size and low back pain remains contested. According to Bernd Kladny, Secretary General of the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, tall individuals may experience higher loads on their backs due to their greater height, but they also possess stronger muscles compared to shorter individuals. The causes of back pain are multifactorial and depend on various factors.
As the average height of German men and women continues to increase, it is crucial to understand the potential health risks associated with these changes in body size. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions to mitigate the risks and promote overall health in individuals of all sizes.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:230803-99-675109/2]
#Medicine #Large #small #higher #risk #disease #Knowledge