Why children in some countries are taller than in others: diet and environment bigger factors than genetics, study finds

Teenagers in China are taller now than 35 years ago, a Lancet study of changes in average height in 193 countries shows

However, the average height figures mask height differences between urban and rural China, which researchers blame on differences in nutrition

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Emerging economies, including China, have seen the biggest gains in children’s height. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 12:15pm, 14 Nov 2020Updated: 12:15pm, 14 Nov 2020

A recent study published in medical journal The Lancet suggests that, while genetics play a part in the height of a person, nutrition and the environment can play a bigger role. Within a few generations, the height of migrant descendants typically catches up to the height of non-migrant children in their new country.

The study, which came out this month, analyses the physical growth of children in different countries by pooling height and body mass index data from 193 countries.

It notes that teenagers in China have achieved significant gains in height over the past 35 years.

In 1985, the mean height of 19-year-old women in China was 157.4cm (5.2 feet) and that of 19-year-old men 167.6cm. In 2019, the corresponding figures were 163.5cm and 175.7cm respectively. According to the study, the increase in boys’ height in China is the largest in the world and the increase in girls’ height is the third largest.

Teenagers in China have achieved significant gains in height over the past 35 years. Photo: Getty Images

Previous research has shown that economic development in China in the past four decades has reduced childhood malnutrition. However, growing inequality has also seen children living in rural areas of China lag behind their urban peers in nutrition intake and height.

According to a 2014 study published by the World Health Organisation, the more developed regions of China are also experiencing a rise in childhood or adolescent obesity thanks to greater access to sugary snacks and fast food.

Why children in some countries are taller than in others: diet and environment bigger factors than genetics, study finds

Teenagers in China are taller now than 35 years ago, a Lancet study of changes in average height in 193 countries shows However, the average height figures mask height differences between urban and rural China, which researchers blame on differences in nutrition

Teenagers in China are taller now than 35 years ago, a Lancet study of changes in average height in 193 countries shows

However, the average height figures mask height differences between urban and rural China, which researchers blame on differences in nutrition