Humanheight - Wikipedia.the freeencyclopedia PageI of 17

FromWikipedi4 the free encyclopedia

Human height, or how tall peoplebecome, generally varies little betweenpeople compared to other anthropometricmeasures. Exceptional height variation (around20o% deviation from average)is usually due to gigantismor .

Adult height for one sex in a particular ethnic group follows more or lessa .

Contents

1 Averageadult heighl aroundthe world ' r 2 HumanHeight Distribution (USA) r 3 Determinantsofgrc*th and height r 3.1Race and height r 4 Processof gro\r'th . 5 Height abnomalities r 6 Role of an individual'sheight r 7 Therole ofheight in spolts r 7.1Soccer . 7.2Cricket r 7.3Rugby r 7.4Football . 7.5Basketball r 7.6 Baseball r 8 Hisroryofhurnan height r 9 Bibliography . 9.1References r l0 Seealso . ll Extemallinl.s

Averageadult height around the world

Below are averageadult heightsby counfy. (The original studiesand sourcesshould be consultedfor detailson methodologyand the exact populationsmeasured, surveyed, or considered.)

Imperial http://en.wikipedia.org/wiwHumanheight 11112008 Humanbeight - Wikipedia-tbe free encyclopedia Page2 of 17

Metric system Eyrtem ::: Coutrtry/RegiotrMales FemalesMales Fcmrles Source 1i::119"sartrpleo t1)n tff .5a14j"'-.l' ra Argenrina :-'" 16lcm;1. (me,lstrleo),. SciETo Argenrina12005y'11 - cm ,.-.'':.-- 6./ m rn . si 174.8 163.9 ::'^ s fr4.2 18-24 Augtauta Lv,z ,. s cm cm .. m (me€sureo) In 178.0 166.0 5ft10 5ff5.5 18-24 t'elqruln P, cm cm m In {mea$req) lBUt(2u05) I ddr. (hnp://wvr'w.anp€c.org.b/enconho2005/anigos/A05AI 59.pdl 168.99 158.0 5n 5ft2.2 ErM. DOOtllaUOn rn In cm cm b-:r (measwed) Folhade SP

adult 174.0 161.0 5 tr s-^^, h 3.4 ---". .- lanaoa DooutauoD t' cm cm 6.)tn ln I' ( measrreq, :5 t l8o :^tr^ 5 fl 5.0 18-24(self L anaca ro) cm ru.y I cm repo[eo] in .u1 .Li^.rDa.\ 164.8 154.5 5ft i5ft0.8 i30-65 ;CHNS(1997) cm cm 4.8in ,in i(measured) i(http://aj€.oxfordjoumals.org/cgi/reprint/155/4/346.pdf) 1803 1673 5ft ll 5ff60 czechReoublic J8 .. Btabaera/.2005 ' cm cm m m (measweoJ(measweoi

| /o.J ) n http://en.wikipedia.orglwilVHumanheight t/r/2008 Lithuania ', g.4in : l2o r "- . 16S 5ft 5ft2.6 all adult Maha 159- cm : l. : ' - - -' -:-:: z cm o.J m In popuarron r?ar 161! tfio 5ff4{ Malta :"' :"' 25-34 z cmcmmt'l 1788 167l sRs7 Nethertands ?f, a cmcmln m ,oweo zoooru o"lfr(http://dined.io.tudelftr /rldined2oo4h) cmllot cml9t u.u13,-m il-ou'In :to-ro l NewZealand l'77'o'1650 ll. ,rott,tn-ot k r .cm ,cm 9.t tn I ,

(^^:- o spaln fii.l 164.3 5 ft 5 ft 4.6 18-29(self httD://en,rl iki Dedia.ore,/wik i/Human heisht t/1/2008 cm cm 9.7in in reponed) . 173.0 .-. 5ft8 5n4.6 18 f ataloma- sDaln lb4 cm x ' cm ln m (measweo) t11o sft 5ft4.6 l8 Madrid-Soain ' ' ' '" 164cm -^', cm ' -- 9.7 in in (measured) t'17.0 ... 5ft 5ft4.6 18 uallcla.JDaln lo.t cm .. x ' cm 9./^ -. In m I measrueoj . t77.0 .,^ 5n 5R4.6 18 zaragoza.sparn loz cm .. x ^- o, -, / In 1n I me:Nuleo, tRn? sff57.5ft5.7 Sweden -180.2 - "- rez".".- t67 cm ios:^..^10.9 ; - ,ro-z+,-,16-24 statistiskacentralbyren 1ff2cm l, lnft5jlnl 'iimi 175.5 164.0 5ft9 5ft3.8 SwitzerlandSFrUernno a , :Cm Cm rln lln

: cm cm In r iln Atnencan 16s.7158.i 5ff sn2.2 ?9-3? .:. :"-- Mexica!- i cm cm o.6m ln Atnencans

5 E 'Rn -'11 h^6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki,4luman_h€ight | /tD008 Humanheight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pageo of 17

17e.2516s 0s 10.6 sr si. usA &'jiir"ol sc .-.-- sR '80- 83bom I78.22t6J.65 - - ;^" .*,, tv.2 i " -' ntiican- e!. cm cm ln in "' Americans

a= Cavelaarset al 2000* b = kumbe.net** c = 'Fittingthe Task to theMan' ger= Officialsratistics ot theFedeml Statistical O{fice ofCennany (http://www.destatis.de,/basis/d/gesdgesutab8.php) d = NetherlandsCentral Bureau lor Statistics,2000(http://siatline.cbs.nl/Statweb/table.asp?PA=7068eng&Dl =69-134&D2=(1-1 1)- l&DM=SLEN&LA=en&TT=2) e = EurostatsStatistical Yearbook 2004 f= StatisticsNorway 2006 [2] (http://www.ssb.no/aarbol/tab/tab-104.htm1) g = ABS How AustraliansMeasue Up 1995data (hfip://www.ausstats.abs.gov.aulAusstats/subscriber.ns?Lookup/CA2568?1 00069892CA25688900I F4A36/$File/43 590_1 995.pdf) h - LeidenUnivenity MedicalCentre 1997 i = MeanBody weight, Height, and 1960-2002 (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data./ad/ad347.pdf) j, = 2005canadian community Survey 3.1 (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/aprilholladay/2006-I 2-04-size-age-x.htm) j = CanadianFihess and Lilestyle Research Institule (httpr//www.cflri.ca./pdfle/pipl5.pdt) k - (page60) Size and Shape ofNew Zealanders:NZ Normsfor AnthropometricData 1993**** (http://www.osh.govt.nz]order/catalogue/pd7muscl- kr.pdt) I = StatisticsSweden (hfip://www.scb.se/templates/tableorchart_47966.asp) m':=Ofncial Statistics by Ministryof Education,Cultue, Sports, Science and Technology[3] (http://www.mext.gojpA menu,41otdou,/18/10/06100304/003/002.pdt) n = UFIH(Frcnch Union ofclothing lndustries) 2006 o = SigmaDos Statistics 2003 p = NarionalPublic Health lnstitute (Finland) (h1tp://www.ktl.fi/attachments/suomi4 ulkaisut/julkaisusarja_b/2004b I3.pdfJ q = (Fulltext source is pay,lists the statjstics as based on these rcgions: Dalmatia (Split, Sibenik, Dmis, Sinj, Imotski, Vrgorac) and Hercegovina (Mostar,Trebinje, Konjic) Dynamique de I'evolution humaine 2005 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entre/query.fcgi? cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&listuids=l6l 68365&doDt=Abstract) r = VISUOMENESSVEIKATA Anthropomerrical dara and ph) sical fitness ofLithuanian soldiers (hfip://medicina.kmu.ltl0601/0601-ose.pdf) s = [4] (http://www.destatis.de4etspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/lntemerDEDresse/pv2006,Mikrozensus/Pressebroschuere,property=file.pdO accordingto the sociodemographiccharacteristics

s = Committeefor determiningthe eligibility ofyoung men for mililaryservice. u = [5] (http://www.dst.dk/asp2xml/puk/udgivelser/get_file.asp?id=9335&sid-Pop) v - HealthSurvey for England2004 (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs,4 thsryeng2004upd/04TrendTabs.xls/file) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanheight l/1/2008 Human height - Wikipedi4 the free encyclopedia Page7 of 17 x = Vall d'HebronHospital pediatric study about l8-year-old Spaniads, dated in 2004,and other values mentioned in thearticle below. y = (a studymade benveen the years 1980-2000) (h$p://u wwjacn.org/cg\lrcpintl23 / US l'! ma{toshow=&HITS=10&hits=1o&RESulTFoRMAT=&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&fulltext=Height- Related+Changes+in+Body+Mass+Index% 3A+A+Reappmisal+&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=o&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT) z = 2003study (https://secure.gov.mvnso/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=573). A 2007Eurostat study revealed the same rcsults - theaverage Maltese personis 164.9cm(5'4.9") compared to theEU averageof 169.6crn (5'6.7"). aa= Koreanstatistical inlormation system (between) 1970-2004 (httpr/www.kosis.kr/eng/e stat OLAPjsp? tbl_id=DT_1P12&orgid=l12&vwcd:MT ETITLE&path=&operYN=Y&lang-modFeng) Source:Ministry ofEducation and Human Resouces Development[korea] aaL= Physiqueofprimary & secondarystudents Pdffile (http://pub.paran.corn/surgus/Sc.pdo aa' = Empasnews (http://news.empas.con/show.tsp/cp_kh./20060512n06861/'7kw=20%Bco/oBc%20o/o3cbo/o3E%26%3co/ozFb%38%20%C6o/oF2% B1%D5%20%3Cb%38%26%3Co/AFbo/.3Eo/"20o/oBD%Cs%C0%E5%20%3Cbo/o3E%26%3C%2Fb%3E)(websitein Korean) ar = MMA (Military ManpowerAdministation) White book 2004^{ (http:/6log.daum.nevsurgus/?_top_blogtop=go2myblogxsouthKorea)

bb = MinistryofEducation, Republic of (Taiwan) (http://epaper.edu.tw/news/960919/960919 003.htm) cc: Icelandicboys (http://lb. icemed.is/media/skjol/2000-07,08/2000-07-8-f4-TIjpg), girls(http:/,4b. icemed.is/media,rskjol/2000-07_08/2000-07-8-f4- TItjps) dd= Tend6nciasdo Pesoem Portugal no Finaldo SdculoXX (http://www.actamedicapoftuguesa.con/pd2004-l'7131205-2l0.pdt) ee= [6] (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandfltahb/ I 999/00000026/00000003/art00005) ff = [7] (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B73DX-4CHRC52-1&,user:10&_coverDate-o1%2F31% 2F2006&rdoc-l& fmF& orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&version=1&,urlversion=0& userid-10&md5=400538aca29c1nc6, gg = [8] (http://epub.ub.uni-m uenchen.de/archive/00001 24I /01 /underperformance.pdf)

Notes:

a* Basedon selfreportedand not measuredheight b** Somevalues from this site have been disputed, see the talk pagefor moreinformation. j*** Basedon selfreported and not measured height k'r'rt**Based on Britishnorms and their relations to NewZealand values HumanHeight Distribution (USA)

'fable showingpercentile smaller than statedheight

Height(feet/inch) Height (cm) Male Female 4ff llin l50cm 09o 4.600 5 ft Oin l52cm 02% 9.7% 5ft lin 155cm 0.5% 17.'lo/r 5ft 2in 157cm 1.4% 28.90/" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanheight ||2008 Hurnanheight - Wilipedia-rhe free enc)clopedia Page8 of l7

5ft3in l60cm 3.tvo 42.5% 5ft 4in l63cm 6.4% 57.1% 5tt 5in l65cm 11.9%70.6% 5ft 6in l68cm 20% 8r.8% 5117in 170cm 30.7%89.'1% 5ft 8in 173cm 43.3%91.7% 5ft 9in 175cm 56.80/"9'7 .50/" 5fi loin 178cm 69.5%98.8% 5 ftl1in 180cm 80.t% 99.3Vo 6ftOin 183cm 88.2'/" 99.so/" 6ft l in l85cm 93.6%99.6% 6ft 2in l88cm 96.8%99.9% 6ft 3in l90cm 98.60/"99.9% 6ft 4in 193cm 99.4% 99.9% 6ft 5in 195cm 99.7% 99.99r/o 6ft 6in 198cm 99.9% 99.99%

- Source(http://wu'w.shortsupport.orgResearcvanalyzer.html) - Thisdata is basedon a sampleof 12,867people by theThird National Healthand Nutrition Examination Survey between 1988 and 1994. Study is basedon Adultsbetween 18 and 65 (men)and 60 (women) Determinantsof growthand height

The study of hunan gro\athis known as .Grorth and height havelong been recognized as a measureofthe healthand wellness of individuals.hence part of the reasoningfor the useof growth chalts. For individuals,as indicators ofhealth problems, grovvth trends are tracked for significantdeviations and growth is alsomonitored for significantdeficiency from geneticexpectations. is a majorfactor in determiningthe heightofindividuals, though it is far less influentialin regardto populations.Average height is increasinglyused as a measureofthe healthand wellness ( and qualityof life) ofpopulations.Attdbuted as a significantreason for thehend ofiocreasing height in pats of Europeis theegalitarian populationswhere proper medical care and adequate nutrition are relatively equally distributed. Changes in (nutrition) and a generaldse in qualityof healthcare and standard ofliving arethe cited factors in theAsian populations. Average height in theUnited States has rcmaioed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanheight 1/l/2008 Page9 of 17 l{uman height - Wikipedia, the ftee encyclopedia essentiallystagnant since the 1950s.Severe is knownto 25 causesmnled gowlh in NonhKorean. poflions ofAfrican. cenain and other populations.Diet (in additionto leeded historical European, g. nutdents;such things asjunk food and attendanthealth p.oblems such 20

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for example),and even asobesity), exercise, fitness, pollution exposue, sleep patterns, climate (see Allen's rule and Bergmann's Rule happinesi(psychological well-being) are other factorsthat can affect growth ard final height'

Heightis, like otherphenotypic lraits, determined by a combinationofgenetics and environmentalfactors. Genetic potential plus nutdtion minus stressorsis a basic that a shortmother will more formula. cenetically speaking,the heightsofmother and sonand oflather and daughielconelate, suggesting fatherswill havetall daughters,l2] grow fastest(other thar in the womb) as andtoddleN likelv beara shorterson, and tall childhoodbetween t;,i th"; a;.ng,trep,'6".tuigto*fir rpuft.n slowerJteady growth velocity occurs throlghout iili;ii;";;e;il;; Theseare also critical periods tt eseperiodi; andiome slow, steady,declining gro*th after the pubertalgrowth sput levels oITis common. are optimal then gro{th wherc stressoFsuch as malnutrition (or evensevere )have the greatesteffect. Conversely,ifconditions poor when those potentialis maximized;and also there is catch-upgrowth - which can be significant for thoseexperiencing conditions conditionsimprove. ,has a role A Moreover,the healthof a motherthroughout her life, especiallyduring her critical periods,and of courseduring mothe/s healthis important healrhierchild and adult developsa body that is better tble to provide optimal prenatalconditions. The pregnant period areresolved by catch-up as gestationis itselfa critical period for an /ferus,though some problems affecting height dudng this healthover gro-wthassuming childhood conditions are good.Thus, there is an accumulativegeneration effect suchthat nutrition and generationsinfluences the height of descendantsto varying degrees'

1/l/2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki,4lumanheight Page10 of 17 Humanheight - wikipedi4 the ftee €ncyclopedia

The preciserelationship be$een geneticsand envilonmentis complexand uncerutin.Human height is aOoi heritablelll and ha, been con'idered pollgenic l'l sincethe Mendelian-biometcian debate a hundredlears ago Theonly geneso faramibuted with normal height vaialion is HMGA2.This is onl)oneol many as ? eachcopy ofthe alleleconcemed confers an additional0.4cm' accountingforjust :l 0.30loof populationvariance.l3l aa

Race and height ,{. a a. .,a a -a Seealso: Raceand heakh, R.lceafid intelligence,,and ! heahhatul intelligekce I The Nilotic peoplesof Sudar suchas the Dinka havebeen described as the tallest in the world, with the malesin somecommunities having averageheights of 1 9 m (6 '------t li 3 in) andfemales at 1.8m (5 ft 11in)[5]. A notableexample is ManuteBol, who, at 23 im(7ft 7in). was the taliest basketballplaver in the NBA Th€ Dinka are d",L:tina,: I ti,ttil ,jF ir..p5rtI5 I ftl charactetizedas having long legs, narrowbodies and shorttrunks, an adaptationto doubt on the claim ofextraordilary Sir FrancisGalton's (1889) data showingthe relationship hot weather[6].However, a 1995study casts asafunclion of the averageheight ofDinka malesin one betweeooffsping height(928 individuals) height in Dinka, which after studying parent (205sets ofparents) He tability L/l m€an height localion.listed the actual number as 1.76m (5 ft 9.45in.) 46,t1t ot*ttt (r^2) is equalto theslope ofthe regressionljne, 0.57 peopleshave an approximateaverage height of4ft 11in. lived\tas Robert At 2.57metres (g ft 5.5in), LeonidStadnyk is theworld's tallest living manand is from Ukaine. Thetallest man that ever in 1940.The tallest pershingWadlow from Alron,Illinois, who wasborn in 1918and stood 8 ft 11.1 inches (2.72 m) at thetime ofhis death man without a gro*th disorderis Bao Xishun at 2.361meuEs (7 lt 8 95 in) tall Processof growth by Grcwth in stature,determined by its various factors,results from the lengtheningofbones via cellular divisionschiefly r€gulated the releaseof another somatotopin (humangrowth hormone(hGH)) secretedby the anteriorpituitary gland.Somatotropin also stimulates body, have growth inducinghormone insulinJike grorth factor 1 0GF-1) mainly by the liver. Both hormonesop€rate on mosttissues ofthe gradually irany other fufiions, andcontinue to b€ s€cretedthroughout life; with peakl€vels coincidingwith peakgro*th velocity, and during sleep Exercise subsldingwith ageafter .The bulk ofsecretion occursin bursts(especially for adolescents)with the largest is also important,with orornotessecretion. (indeed, adolescents who take steroidscan expedencestunted gro th). A positive net nutition proteinsand variousother nutrientsespecially important.

1t1/2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-height Humanheight - Wikipedia.the free enclclopedia Pagell of 17

'llle majo ty oflineax gro\ th occursas growth ofcartilage at the (ends) ofthe long boneswhich graduallyossi$ to form hard bone.The legs composeapproximately half ofadult humanheight, and leg lengthis a somewhatsexually dimorphic trait. Height is also attainedftom growth ofthe spine,and contraryto popularbelief, men arethe "leggier" sex vrith a longer l€g to torso ratio, converselyto women'slonger torso to leg ratio. (The illusion ofthe proportionbeing the other way aroundis causedby fatty depositsplaced high on women'ships.) Someofthis growth occursafter the growth spwt ofthe long boneshas ceased or slowed.The majodty of go\ath du ng growth sputs is ofthe long bones.Additionally, the variationin height betweenpopulations and acrosstime is largely dueto changesin leg length.The remainderofheight consistsofthe cranium.Height is obviously sexuallydimorphic and statisticallyit is more or lessnormally distributed,but with heary tails. Height abnormalities

Mostinta-population variance ofheight is genetic.Short statue and tall statureare usually not a healthconcern. Ifthe degreeofdeviation from normal is significant,hereditary short statue is kno\anas familial short statue and tall statureis known as familial tall stature. Confirinationthat exceptionalheight is normal for a respectiveperson can be ascetainedftom compaxingstatue of family membersand analyzinggrowth trendsfor abruptchanges, among others. There are, however, various diseases and disordersthat causegrowth abnomalities. Most notably,exteme heightmay be pathological,such as (very rare) resultingfrom childhoodhyperpituitarism, and dwarfism which hasvarious causes. Rarely, no causecan be found for exlremeheight; very short personsmay be termedas having idiopathicshort statue. The Food aad Drug Administration(FDA) in 2003 approvedhGH teatment for those2.25 standarddeviations below the popLrlationmean (apprcximately the lowest L2% oftie population).An evenmrer occurrence,or at least lessused term andrecognized "problem",is idiopathictall stature. lfnot enoughgrorth hormoneis producedand/or secretedby the pituitary glaad,then a patientwith growrhhomone deficiencycan undergo treatnent. This treatmentinvolves the injection of pure growth homone into thick tissueto jump-staft the growth process.

Role of an individual'sheight

Tallnesshas been suggested to be associatedwith bettercardio-vascular health and overall better-than-averagehealth and longevity (Njolstad et al. 1996,181McCarlon t ,96219).;.However, height may not be causativeof betterhealth and longevity (Miun er al 2002). Other studies havefound no association,", or suggestthat shorter stature is associatedwith betterhealth (Samaras & Ehick. lqqgLLvl).On theother hand, beingexcessively tall cancause various medical problems, including cardiovascula-r issues, due to the increas€dload on theheart to supply the body with blood, and issuesresulting ftom the increasedtime it takesthe brain to communicatewith the extremities.For example,Robert Wadlow, the tallest manknown to verifiable history, developedwalking difficulties as his height continuedto ircreasethroughout his life. ln manyofthe pictuesofthe laterportion ofhis life, Wadlowcan be seengripping sometbing for support.Late in his life he wasforced to wear braceson his legs and to walk with a cane,and he died after developingan infection in his legs becausehe was uoableto feel the ilritation and cutting causedby his leg bmces(it is importantto note that he died in 1940,before the widespreaduse ofmodem antibiotics).Height extemesofeither excessive tallness or shortnesscan cause social exclusion and discrimination for bothmen and women (heightism). hnp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurnanheight It/2008 Humanheight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page12 of 1'7

Epidemiologicalstudies have also demonstrateda positive corelation betweenheight ard intelligence.The reasonsfor this associationappear to include that height servesas a biomarkerofnutritional statusor generalmenial and physicalhealth during development,that common geneticfacton may influenceboth height and intelligence,and that both height and intelligenceare affectedby adverseearly environmental exposures.

In addition,an individual'sheight can be largely a partofwhat socialclique, or groupthat they fall in to, thoughthis is usuallyassociated with pre-teensard teenagers.For example,in someschools, students on thebasketball team might be "cool",and those with shortstature woutdn't likely maLethe team.Therefore, in somecases, this could contdbuteto them being classifiedas "uncool", which can be detrimental to that particular individual's self-esteem.

This can also sometimesbe tanslated over into the corporateworld. Individuals with short statue can sometimesappear to not haveany leadershipability or power,since some people might not take them se ously dueto thek shot stature.However, this is not alwaysthe case with mostemployels. Historically this assumptionhas not alwaysreflected reality; for instanceNapoleon was not much taller than 5it accordingto sources(though Napoleon's height is subjectto greatdebate, and he mayhave been as much as 5' 7", seeNapoleon's height for further information) and Deng Xiaoping ofChina who undertookmassive reforms to the Chineseeconomy in the 1980swas reportedto have only been5 ft 2.(which was shorterthan the averageChinese) Both were consideredvery strongleaders. The role of heightin sports

Height often plays a crucial role in sports.For most sports,height is useful as it affectsthe leveragebetween muscle volume and bones towardsgreater speed ofmovement. It is mostvaluable in sportslike basketballand , where the "short"playe$ are almost always well aboveavemge in height comparedto the gen€ralpopulation. In men'sprofessional , the guards,the smallestplayers, are usuallyaround 6'2" to 6'6"(1.88 to 1.98m), andthe centers, the tallest players, are generally aom 6'10"to 7'2"(2.08 to 2.l8 m). Famous t] basketballplayer Shaquille O'Neal is listedat 7'1"[t 12.16m). Somesports, such as horse racing, auto racing, figure skating, diving, and gymnastics,a smaller frame is rnorevaluable. In othersports, the role ofheightis specificto paxticularpositions (i.e . In AmedcanFootball, running backshave an advantageifthey are shorterthan the defendersdue to lower centersofgravity and decreasedvisibility.) In weightlifting shorterleve$ axeadvantageous and taller than averagecompetitors usually competein the 105 kg + group.

Soccer

For example,in soccer,tall goalkeepershave an advantagebecause they havegreater amspa.ns and canjump higher easily, so one will rarely, ifever, seea short goa.lkeeperat the professionallevel. However,shorter goalkeepers will havean easiertime reachinglow shotsas they can reachthe groundfractionally soonerthan taller keepem.ln attackingand wide positions,height is not alwaysimpottant with someofthe best playersin the world (e.g., Romarioand Maradona)being shorterthan averageand in many casesgaining an advantagewith their low ceflterofgravity. However,height is generallyconsidered advantageous for centraldefenders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanheight ||2008 Humanheight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page13 of 17

Cricket

Similarly,in ,some good batsmen like DonaldBradman (5'7"/1.70 m), SachinTendulkar (5'5"/1.65 m) andAiavinda De Silva(5'2") are/wereshort. On the other hand,many successfulfast bowlersarelwere well over 6 ft7l.83 m; for examples,past greats Joel Gamer. CourtneyWalsh, and were a1l 6'6"/1.98 m or tallerand the recently retired Glenn McGrath is 6'4%"/1.95m. In geneml,taller bowlershave a higher point ofrelease in their bowling action,making it easierfor them to makethe ball rear-upfrom a length.Also, they can generatemore pacewilh longerarms and the sling action associatedwith bowling.

Rugby ln , lineoutjumpers,generally locks, are usually the tallest playerson the pitch, as this increasestheir chanceofwinning clean ball, whereasscrum-halves are usually relatively short.As examples,cunent woild-classlocLs Victor Matfield, Chris Jack,and Paul O'Connellare all at least6'6"/1.98 m, whilethe sport'sall-time leader in intemationalappearances, scrum-half George Gregan, is 5'8"/1.73m.

Football

In Football. a tall quafierbackis at an advantagebecause it is easierfor him to seeover the headsof largeoffensive and defensivelinemen while he is in the pocketin a passingsituation. Tall wide receive$ havean advantageofbeing ableto outjump shorterdefensive backs to catchhighly thrown passes.By contrast,shorter defensive backs are utilized becauseoftheir typically greateragility, asthe ability to change directionsinstantly is a prerequisitefor the position. Shortrunning backs arc at an advantagebecause their shorterstature and low€r centerof gravity generallymakes them harderto tackle effectively. In addition,they caneasily "hide" behindlarge offensivelinemen, making it harder for defendersto reactat thebeginning ofa play.Thus, in theNFL andin NCAA DivisionI football,running backs under 6 ft 0 in (1.83m) aremore commonthan rururingbacks over 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m). FormerHeisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall ofFamer , thoughtby someto be the greatestrunring back in history, is a classicexample of a running back with an extraordinarilylow centerof gravity,as he stoodonly 5 ft 7 1/2in (1.71m). However,Jim Bro\ n, anotherplayer often considered the greatest running back ofall time, was morethan 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall, demonstratingbenefits confered by the greaterpower and leveragewhich height provides.

Kickers are generallyshort, they are shorterbecuase this allows them tog et underthe ball easier.Punters are generallyvery tall becauseof longer legs achievinggreater leg swing and this translatesinto more power on the ball.

Cornerbacksare generally matched with taller recieversifthey arevery good at blocking offthe line. But for playswhere it is a dehnite deep pass,then taller comersare used. To incteasethe chacesof a batteddown passor an interception.

Salbtysare tall to pick offpassesand intimidatebacks and recievers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height | /1/2008 Humanheight - wikipedia,the free encyclopedia Pagel4 of 17

Basketball

Basketballplayers tend to be extremelytall with the tallest playersbeing the centers,as their position is nearestthe basket.Height helpsthem makeeasy dunks and givesthem a betterchance of not having their shotsblocked. The shortestplayers aJe usually the pointguards,whose low centerof gravity helpsthem dribble closerto the ground.

Baseball

In baseball,pitchers tend to be tallerthan position players. Being taller means longer legs, which power pitches use to generatevelocity and a releasepoint closerto the plate,which meansthe ball reachesthe batterquicker. While tall position playershave a larger strike zone,most positionplayers ate at leastofaverage height becausethe larger frame allows them to generatemore power.Most successfulmodem pitchers aresafely over 6 feeVl.83m, someto extemes(e.9., the 6'10"/2.08 m RandyJohnson), with the 5'11"/1.80 m PedroMadinez a notable exception. History of humanheight

In the 18thand 1gth centuries, Europeans in NorthAmerica were far tallerthan those in .In fact,they were the tallest in theworld. Theoriginal indigenous population of PlainsIndians was also among the tallest populations ofthe world at thetime.[I2] Seueral nations, includiig manyn'ations in Europe.have now surpassedthe US, partiiularly the Netherlands, and the Scandinaviannations.

In the late nineteenthc€ntury. the Netherlardswas a land renownedfor its shortpopulation, but today it hasthe 2nd tallest averagein the world,[l3]with youngmen avemging 183 cm (6 ft) tall andonly shoderthan the peoples ofthe DinaricAlps (,Herzegovina, CoastalCroatia), whare males average 186 cm (6 ft 1.1 in) tall. The Dinariansand Dutch are now well known in Europefor extremetallness. In Africa, the Maasai,Dinka and populationsare known for their tallness.

Averagemale heightin impoverishedVietnam arrdNorth Koreall4l remainscomparatively small at 163cm (5 ft 4 in) and 165cm (5 ft 5_in), respectively.Currently, yormg adult North Koreanmales are actually significantly shorter.This contasts greatlywith the extremegro*th occtmingin surroundingAsian populations with conelatedincreasing standards ofliving. YoungSouth Koreans are about 12 cm (5.5inches) taller than their North Koreancounterpafis, on average.There is also an extlemedifference between older North Koreansand youngNorth Koreanswho grew up during the faminesofthe 1990s-2000s;there is virtually no height differenceamong North Koreanand SouthKorean adultsolder than 40, who cameofage at a time when the North's economywas on a par with that ofthe South. Bibliography

. Filting the Taskto the Man, 1987(for heightsin USA and Japan) . Euostats StalisticalYea$ook 2004 (for heightsin Germany) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanheignr 111/2008 Humanheight - Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia Pagel5 of l7 r NetherlardsCentral Bureau for Statistics,1996 (for averageheights) r MeanBody Weight,Height, and body mass index, 1960.2002 (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad347.pd$ I How Austalians M€asureUp (http://w$v.ausstats.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/subscriber.nsf4-ookup/C42568'1100069892C A2568 8900 I F4A36/$File/43 590_1995 .pd| . UK Departmentof Health - Health Surveyfor England(http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/stats/trendsl.htm) I StatisticsNorway, Conscripts, by height,Per cent (httpr//www.ssb.no/englisvyearbook/tab/tab-104.htmD r StatisticsSw€den (in Swedish)(http://www.scb.se/templates/tableOrChart-47966.asp) r BurkhardBilger. "The Height Gap." The New Yorker(http://wwwneuyorker.cor/facvcontent/?040405fa_fact) r A collectionof dataon humanheight, refered to hereas "kaxube"but originally collectedfrom other souces, was originally available here(http://www.kurabe.ne'average_height) but is no longer.A copy is availablehere (http://Mrlt,psych.ualberta-ca/-phurd,&arubef. (anEnglish tanslation ofthis Japanesepage would make it easierto evaluatethe quality ofthe data...). . http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroorn/04news/americans.htm . Aminonaya,A. e/ al: GroMh ChartsofHeights and Weights of MaleChildren and Adolescents oflsfahan, Iran. Joumal of Healthand PopulationNutrition, 21(4):2003, p. 341-346 . Blah4 P. e, al: 6. Celostatniantropologicky vyzkum deti a mladeze2001, Ceska republika [6th Nationwidearthropological research of childrenand youth 2001, Czech republicl, Charles University in Prague2005 . Bogin,B.A. (1999)Pattems ofhuman growth. 2nd ed CambridgeU Press r Bogin,B.A. (2001)The growth of humanit),Wiley-Liss r Cavelaars,A.E.J.M.,Kunst, A.E.,G€urts, J.J.M.,Cdalesi, R.,Grotvedt, L.,Helmefi U. Persistentvariations in averageheight between countriesand between socio-economic groups: an ov€rvie$,of l0 Europeancount es.Annals of HrunanBiology, 2'7(4),40'7 -421. . DeurenbergP., KalpanaBhaskamn, Petrina Lim Kim Lian: SingaporeanChinese adolescents have more subcutaneousadipose tissue thanDutch Caucasians ofthe sameage and body mass index. Pacific Joumal of ClinicalNutrition, 12(3):2003, p.261-265 r Eveleth,P.B. & Tanner,J.M. (1990) Woildwide variation in humangrowth,2nd ed. Cambridge University Press. r Lintsi, M., Kaaxma,H.: Gro$'th ofEstonian seventeen-year-oldboys during the last two ceoturies.Economics and HumanBiology 4 (2006)89-r03. . Miura, K. Nakagawa,H. & Greenland,P. (2002) Invited commentary:height-cardiovascular disease relation: whereto go from herc? Am. J. Epidemiol.155:688-689. r Rufl C. (2002)Variation in humanbody size and shape. Ann. Rev.Anthropol. 3l:211-232. r Averageheight of adolescentsin the Dinaric Alps (hupy'/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd:Retrieve&db=PubMed&1istuids=16168365&dopt:Abstract) . Averageheight ofyoung Spaniards(in Spanish)(http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/l45966/00 r Differencesbetween height (stature)and recumbentlength Ottp://uww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd=Retdeve&db=PubMed&listuids=121 73694&dopFAbstract) r Mandel, MD, E. Zimlichrnan,MD, F. B. Mimouni, MD, FACN, F.{AP, l. Grctto, MD, MPH, and Y Kreiss,MD Height-Related Changesin Body MassIndex: A Reappraisal(http://wwwjacn.org/c gihepintl23/l /5l.pd D.) r A. Case,PhD, C. Pa,\son,PhD, Statureand Status:Height, Ability, and Labor Market Outcomes (htQ://papers.nber.org/papers/wI 2466) . GlobalHeighr Trends in Industrialand Developing Countdes, 1810-1984: An Overview2006 1020 (http://www.econ.uples/docs/seminarebaten.pd| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki,4lumanheight 1/t/2008 Humanheight - Wikipedia,the free encyclop€dia Pagel6 of 17

References

l. ^ Marianadel Pino,Luisa Bay, Horacio Lejanag4 lrina Kovalskys, Enrique Bemer and Cecile Rausch He$covic. Archik;hK:Mvos Argentinos de Pediatria(http://www.scielo.org.arlscielo.php?script=sci arttext&pid=S0325-00752005000400007&lng--en&nm=iso&tlng=es). SciELOArgentina. 2. " Ii] (http://www.newscientist.com/articl€.ns?iddn2667) a'M.N. 3. " Weedone/ a/. (Advancedonline publication 2007). "A commonvariant ofl1M0l2 is associatedwith adultand childhood height in the generalpopulation". N.rtule Genetics. doi:10.1038/ng2121 (httpr//dx.doi.org/l0.1038/ng212l). 4. ^ R.A. Fisher(1918)."The corelation between relatives on thesupposition ofmendelian inheritance". lrazs. R. Soc.Edinburgh:399433. 5. ^ thetallest people in theworld (http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Tallest-People-in-the-World-61 13o.shtml) 6. ^ climatesculpts bodi€s (httpr//www.nerc.ac.ukJpublications/planeteafiI/2006/summer/sum06-skeleton.pdt) 7. " ChaiiD. (1995)'Anthropometnc measuremenls oftbe Nilotictribes in a refugeecamp', Ethiopian Medical Joumal, 33,4,211-217. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8674486&dopFcitation) 8. " NjotstadI, AmesenE, Lund-LarsenPG. (1996) Body height, cardiovascular risk factors, and risk ofstroke in middl€-agedmen and women: a I4- yearfollow-up of theFinnmark Study. Circulation 94:2877-2882. 9. " Mccanon,P., Okasha, M., McEwen,J. et dl (2002)Height in youngadulthood and risk ofdeathf.om cardiorespiratorydisease: a prospective study of maleforrner students of GiasgowUniversity, Scotland. Am. J.Epidem iol. 15 5:683-687 10. " Samaras,T.T. & Elrick,H. 1999.Height, body size and long€vity. Acta Med Okayama. 53:149-169 11. " E!News 12. " Bogin2001, citing tleight and disribution data of8 plainsIndian tribes collected by F.ankBoas during 1888-1903 published by Prince& Steckel I998,"Tallest in theworld: Native Americans ofthe GreatPlains in thenineteenth century". N.rtional Bweau of EconanicResearch Working Paper Series.Hktorical paper I12 1-35 13. ^ http://anicles.news.aol.com./news/_a/the-dulch-are-the-worlds-tallestpeople/20060915162909990006 jn 14. ^ Tle SeattteTimer: "Shortstature evident North Koreangeneration" (http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.conl/cgi- biMexis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=koreal4&date=200402 I 4) (freeregistmtion required)

Seealso

. Heightism r Anthopometry I Heightand intelligence . Hunan weight r Humanvariabiliry r l{umanbiology . List oftallestpeople External links

. CDC National Centerfor Health Statistics:Growdr Chartsof AmericanPercentiles (http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts,) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_hei ght I/IDOOq Humanheight - Wikipedia-the freeencyclopedia Page17 of 17

For a Dore accurat€worldwide statistical study d&tacovering males and femalesfrom I - 18 yearsof age,check this link (scrolldown to tableIII - IV).

. www.fao.org: Body Weightsand Heightsby Countries(http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/MEETING/004M2846E/1v12846807.htm) r Height to Weight Charts(http://www.stayfitalways.corr/charts.php) Height to weight chartsaccording to small, mediumand large frame for both men and women. I Standard1o Metric HumanHeight Converter(http://www.albireo.ch/bodyconverter,) . BMI Calculator(http://www.calcalot.com,/bmi-calculator.asp) Calculate a personsBody MassIndex

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