5 Interesting Height Statistics

Statistics help bring to light things we would not even have considered, while confirming or denying other things we may have thought we knew. Height has many unique and interesting statistics of its own, which may surprise and enlighten you. Let's take a look shall we?

Height by Region - This has probably been the most discussed and debated topic concerning height. Why is it that some races are so much taller than others? What factors, be they environmental or other are causing the differing heights?

Nutrition and genetics often plays a key role in height, and it's an established fact that wealthier people, especially those from a long line of wealthy family members, are traditionally taller than poorer people, though this gap is closing. This doesn't explain though why the Japanese, one of the most civilized and wealthiest nations in the world for the past millennium, and also the longest living people in the world, are still so short (though they are slowly making up ground).

Growth Spurts - Growth spurts are often quite dramatic, and quite a shock to the people on the outside observing the growth spurt first hand, namely parents. Girls, who hit puberty slightly before boys, can grow as much as 3 ½ inches per year, while boys can do them one better by growing as much as 4 ½ inches per year during their growth spurt.

Family Ties - We talked about genetics earlier, and the subject of height and genetics has been analyzed so much that a formula for predicting height based on genetics has become widespread.

By adding the total of the two parents heights in inches, and the four grandparents heights and dividing that by 6, we come to the number that is fed into the formula. For males that formula is to multiple the number by 1.08 and add 3 ½ inches. For females, they should multiple the number by 0.92 and add 2 ½ inches.

Height in the Workplace - An interesting statistic shows that taller men are selected for employment positions or promotions three times more often than their shorter counterparts, when it's determined their skills are equal.

Height in Love - When it comes down to romance, height of course also plays an important role. For many their own height plays a deciding factor in the desired height of their partner. Taller women in particular want taller men, more so than tall men do of women. Women who were considered to have more options, such as those who described themselves as slim or athletic, also seemed to narrow in on taller men.

By region and race, Asian women are the most forgiving of small statures, partially as a result of their own small frames. Black women, generally the tallest women in the world, were also the most demanding of their partners being tall.

These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to interesting height related statistics. One thing is for certain, height can have an effect on all aspects of our lives, from the workplace to the bedroom.

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