‘Men Grown Faster Than Women Over Past Century’
A recent study has revealed that men have experienced height and weight growth at more than double the rate of women over the past century, driven largely by improvements in living conditions, nutrition, and healthcare. Researchers analyzed global data to assess how human growth has correlated with the Human Development Index (HDI), a measure combining life expectancy, education, and income per capita.
According to the findings, for every 0.2 point increase in HDI, men grew on average by 4 centimeters in height and gained 6.5 kilograms in weight, compared to women, who increased by 1.7 centimeters and 2.7 kilograms, respectively. This disparity highlights the impact of environmental improvements on male physiology, which appears to respond more dramatically to favorable conditions.
In the United Kingdom, where HDI increased from 0.8 in 1900 to 0.94 in 2022, the average male height rose from 170 centimeters in 1905 to 177 centimeters in 2022, a 4% increase. Conversely, women’s height grew by 1.9%, from 159 centimeters to 162 centimeters. The study noted that in 1905, one in four women was taller than the average man, whereas by 1958, this ratio had decreased to one in eight.
The researchers also explored the role of sexual selection in these trends. Larger stature and physique in men have historically been associated with greater health, strength, and reproductive success, making these traits more desirable. Professor Lewis Halsey from the University of Roehampton explained that taller men are perceived as more “formidable” and robust, indicating a higher quality of life during their developmental years.
However, the study also highlighted potential drawbacks. While taller individuals tend to earn more, they face higher risks of conditions like cancer due to having more cells, increasing the likelihood of mutations.
Michael Wilson, a professor at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that men’s growth is more sensitive to improvements in nutrition, likely due to the evolutionary costs of reproduction being greater for women, who require significant energy for pregnancy and nursing.
The findings, published in Biology Letters, offer insights into the complex interplay of biology, environment, and societal factors that shape human growth patterns over time. This research not only underscores the importance of equitable access to resources but also raises further questions about the long-term implications of these differences on health and society.
