Are we getting higher and higher?

When I visit old houses, I will often bend my head. People did not get so high in time, I get to know. But does it fit? Are we getting higher and higher?

The inhabitants of the industrialized part of the world have grown significantly higher over the past 150 years. On average, our height is increased by 10 cm, in northern Europe even by 14 cm, so it's no wonder if the door frames in old houses seem to make and the beds are short.

Therefore, we get higher

The researchers believe there are three main reasons for our high growth:

• Firstly, in connection with industrialization, a major genetic blend occurred. Previously, most people lived in the country, and typically found their spouse in the neighborhood. This led to a mild form of inbreeding that ended when people moved to the city. Indavl helps keep the height down.
• Secondly, good diet in childhood plays a major role in the height achieved. A diet rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins promotes growth.
• Third, children are affected by far fewer infectious diseases. In particular, infectious diseases in early childhood have been shown to be of great importance to children's end-of-life. The illnesses put growth down and the loss can be difficult to catch.

The Dutch are the highest in Europe

In Europe, the Dutch now have the highest order. A young Dutch man is an average of 183 cm tall, showing new numbers. People from Southern Europe are significantly lower, but they are well on the way to catching up with Norwegians.

However, there is no danger that we grow into the sky. Genetically, we are programmed to a maximum height, indicating that it is now in northern Europe - at least, measurements from military sessions show that height does not rise anymore.

The height varies

In addition, development can easily return. For 100 years ago, the average American, for example, seven centimeters was higher than a Western Europeans, but today the typical Western Europeans are five-seven centimeters higher than an American. The most likely explanation is a more balanced diet in Europe.

Historically, there have also been large fluctuations. In the Bronze Age we were relatively tall, but in the Viking Age an average 

man was only 171 cm tall while the women were 158 cm.