2023-08-05 19:24:00
New Study Finds Height Influences Risk of Disease
A new study has revealed that people’s heights have been steadily increasing over the past century, and this growth trend may have implications for their health. The study, which analyzed data from German men and women between 1896 and 2021, found that average male height increased from 1.67 meters to almost 1.80 meters, while average female height climbed from 1.56 to 1.66 meters.
According to experts, the key determinant of height is how health-conscious individuals are in their everyday lives. However, height can also play a role in determining the risk of certain illnesses.
One such illness is diabetes, where being taller appears to provide an advantage. Professor Norbert Stefan, an expert in clinical-experimental diabetology at the University Hospital Tübingen, explained that genetic factors related to body growth are associated with less fat content in the liver and better insulin sensitivity. These factors contribute to a lower likelihood of developing diabetes in taller adults.
Another health condition influenced by height is cardiovascular disease. A study conducted by the University Hospital Düsseldorf, which analyzed data from almost 660,000 patients, found that shorter individuals, both men and women, are more prone to developing high blood pressure or experiencing a stroke. On the other hand, taller individuals have a reduced risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Each additional ten centimeters in height was associated with a 9 percent decrease in risk for women and a 13 percent decrease in risk for men.
Height also plays a role in the risk of thrombosis. As Professor Stefan explained, taller individuals are at a disadvantage because their longer extremities require the blood to be pumped a greater distance to reach the heart. This increased distance can lead to a higher risk of developing thrombosis, with up to 90 percent of cases occurring in the deep veins of the legs, potentially leading to a pulmonary embolism.
Additionally, the study found a connection between height and the risk of cancer. The risk of developing cancer increased by 11 percent in women and 6 percent in men for every additional ten centimeters of height. Professor Stefan suggested that one of the reasons for the increase in height among individuals is the higher consumption of dairy products and red meat. Excessive animal protein consumption has been found to activate growth genes, particularly growth factors IGF-1 and IGF-2, which can lead to lifelong increased cell growth and an elevated risk of cancer.
Overall, this study highlights the significant relationship between height and various diseases. While tall individuals may have advantages in certain areas, such as diabetes, they may face increased risks in others, such as thrombosis and cancer. The findings emphasize the importance of further research into the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions to mitigate these risks for individuals of all heights.]
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