Average Height for European Males Up 11cm from mid-19th Century

The average height for a European male increased by 11 centimeters between the mid-19th century and the 1980s, researchers have found.

Led by Timothy J. Hatton, a professor of economics at the University of Essex and Australian National University, the study includes an analysis of a new dataset based on the average height of adult male birth cohorts between the 1870s and 1980. Drawn from a variety of sources, including cross-sectional surveys and records from military conscripts and recruits, the data represents 15 European countries.

The results reveal an unprecedented rate of growth during the period of roughly 100 years. Not excluded from this trend was the period spanning the two World Wars and the Great Depression, which, contrary to expectations, saw an acceleration in average height increase. This was especially true in the northern and middle European countries, including Britain, Ireland, the Scandinavian countries, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Germany -- a striking development, the researchers note, given that this time in history largely predates the widespread implementation of major modern breakthroughs in healthcare and medicine.

One possible reason for this surprising period of growth, the researchers say, is a downward trend in fertility at this time, given that previous studies have linked smaller family sizes with increased height.

However, according to Hatton, the study suggests that the "single most important factor driving the increase in height" lies in the "improving disease environment, as reflected in the fall in infant mortality."

Infant mortality rates fell from an average of 178 per 1,000 in the 1870s to 120 per 1,000 between 1911 to 1915. This further dropped to just 41 in the 1950s and finally 14 between 1976 to 1980.

Other factors contributing to the increase in average male height, according to Hatton, include a rise in income per capita, better social services and general education about health and nutrition, improved sanitation and better health systems.