Research Shows Odd Facts About Short And Tall People -

Before you read this, breathe in...and let it
out. A recent article written by Lisa Collier
about 'Day in Health' addresses several
challenges or perks on height. You don't
have to admit it now, but I know there have
been times when you felt either too tall or
too short - depending on who's standing
beside you at that time. Maybe that's not
your story; well, you're one of the luck few.
You're just perfect!
For those who have wondered what role
their heights play in their health, lifestyle,
habits, and other daily living that you never
even thought about, this article is for you. I
thought it was fascinating that "taller men
may make more money that shorter men,"
"shorter women tend to have more children
than taller women," and "shorter people
are likely to outlive their taller peers."
What do you think? Do you agree or
disagree with these scientists and their
study/discoveries?
Read on and leave your comments.
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On average, taller people score slightly
higher on IQ tests than shorter people,
according to a new study published in the
journal PLOS Genetics.
If you tower over your neighbors, those
findings may add inches to your ego. But
don’t let height go to your head! Studies
have linked both tallness and shortness to
a variety of health risks and benefits.
Genes influence height and intelligence
Using data collected from twins and their
parents—totaling nearly 8000 participants
—researchers from the University of
Colorado Boulder examined links found
between elevated height and IQ.
Their findings suggest that two factors may
be at play. First, it appears there are genes
that influence both IQ and height, notes
Matthew Keller, lead author of the study
and assistant professor of psychology and
neuroscience at the University of Colorado
Boulder, in a statement.
“At the same time, it also looks like people
who are taller are slightly more likely to
choose mates who are smarter and vice
versa,” adds Keller. “Such mate choice
causes ‘IQ genes’ and ‘tall genes’ to
become statistically associated with one
another.”
Tallness comes with risks and benefits
Average intelligence isn’t the only thing that
grows with height. If you are tall, you may
also have a greater chance of:
- Being bitten by bugs. The Scottish biting
midge, a voracious blood-sucking bug,
prefers taller and heavier people, found
researchers at Rothamsted Research and
the University of Aberdeen. Larger people
provide larger targets, while producing
more heat, moisture, carbon dioxide, and
other chemicals that can attract insects.
- Developing dangerous blood clots.
Compared to shorter control groups, taller
people are more likely to develop
potentially life-threatening blood clots in
the deep veins of their legs and other body
parts, report Science-daily researchers in
Norway. In particular, the risk is heightened
among men and women who are tall and
obese.
- Experiencing cancer. Compared to
shorter peers, taller post-menopausal
women are at greater risk of cancer, warn
researchers in the journal ofCancer
Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
Prevention. In particular, multiple myeloma,
melanoma, and cancers of the thyroid,
rectum, kidney, endometrium, colorectum,
colon, ovary, and bosom are associated
with tallness.
- Earning more money. On the upside,
taller men may earn more money on
average than shorter men, according to
research conducted in Australia. It may be
that shorter men experience discrimination
in response to their stature, suggest the
authors (Andrew Leigh, 'Body Size'), while
taller men may enjoy a boost in social
status.
Shortness comes with perks and dangers
Shortness also comes with its share of
health benefits and risks. If you are short,
you may have higher odds of:
- Living longer. A recent study by Taylor
& Francis (tandfonline) nearly 500
men in Sardinia revealed that shorter
fellows were likely to outlive their taller
peers by an average of 2 years, based on
their height at age 20. In addition, a
research review (by science direct)
published in Life Sciences noted that data
compiled from millions of deaths suggests
that people of short stature have longer
lifespans.
- Having children. According to
researchers from the Netherlands (by
science daily), shorter women tend to have
more children than taller ladies. The
reasons remain unclear – but lead
researcher, Gert Stulp, Ph.D., suspects that
shorter women may spend more energy on
reproduction. When it comes to men, Stulp
found in a separate study (link-springer)
that those of average height appear to have
the most children.
- Developing heart disease. While deep
vein blood clots are common among tall
folk, the risk of cardiovascular disease in
general is greater among short people. In
fact, a systematic review of 52 studies
(European Society of Cardiology - Emma
Mason) found that shorter men and
women are approximately 1.5 times more
likely to develop symptoms and die from
cardiovascular disease than taller people.
- Having strong character and a sense of
humor. John Schwartz, a reporter for The
New York Times and author of Short:
Walking Tall When You Are Not Tall,
believes that many so-called problems
associated with shortness have been
manufactured or overblown by drug
companies that market growth hormones.
In an interview with NPR, he credits
shortness and its associated stigma with
pushing smaller people to work harder,
become tougher, and develop a good sense
of humor.
Don’t let your height get you down
Height is influenced by many factors,
including multiple genetic variants and
environmental conditions. In rare cases,
extreme tallness or shortness may reflect
an underlying health condition that
requires medical treatment, such as
Gigantismor Turner syndrome.
In most cases, however, experts encourage
people to focus on health factors within
their control, such as not smoking, staying
active, eating a balanced diet, and
maintaining a healthy weight. Whether
you’re short or tall—healthy lifestyle
choices are your best bet for well-being
and longevity.
Sources: Lisa Collier (Daily Health),
Sciendaily, Eurakaalert [Lisa Collier Cool is a
bestselling author and winner of 19
journalism awards, including a National
Magazine Award]. Images (c/o Google)
http://www.infonubia.com/2013/09/
research-shows-odd-facts-ab

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