The Dutch are the tallest people in the world, with an average height of 6 feet 1 inch. This is due to a combination of genetics and nutrition, including a diet high in dairy and early childhood care. The Danes are the second tallest, while Americans have decreased in stature. Being tall has its drawbacks, such as needing taller door frames and uncomfortable travel.
Statistically, the tallest people in the world, measured by country, are the Dutch. The average height for all adults for the Netherlands is 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m). This big jump in height is a huge change for Holland, where about 100 years ago, 25% of men who tried to join the military were rejected because they were too short, less than 62 inches (1.57m) tall. .
There are taller people belonging to certain populations within countries. This is especially true of the Maasai people, who live in parts of Tanzania and Kenya. But overall, citizens living in the Netherlands are the tallest people on average. People who have immigrated to the Netherlands from other parts of the world are also on average higher than their racial groups in their countries of origin.
Next to the Dutch, almost shoulder to shoulder, are the Danes. The average height in Denmark is 6 feet (1.83 m). Americans, who were once the tallest people, have decreased in stature and average about 5 feet 9 inches (1.76 m) for men.
Researchers have attempted to explain what causes a particular country to have the tallest people and conclude that factors for height include a combination of genetics and nutrition. The Dutch, several hundred years ago, were among the tallest people in the world. The unequal distribution of wealth, poor diet and years of bad harvests certainly helped keep the Dutch short for many years. From a genetic point of view, however, the Dutch could have been the tallest people before with appropriate nutrition, especially during early childhood.
Those who study these statistics suggest that the Dutch emphasis on early childhood care, a diet high in dairy and therefore high in protein, and a fairly even distribution of wealth have helped make the Dutch the tallest people in the world. Conversely, in America, pockets of poverty, contributing to poor childhood nutrition and lack of available health care, as well as immigration of shorter racial groups to America, have led to lower average height .
Being the tallest person in the world is not without its drawbacks. In recent years, the Dutch have had to make changes to building codes to provide taller door frames and taller appearances with every new building and car design. Also, the measurement is “average height,” meaning some people are well over 6 feet 1 inch. Some people are significantly taller and can reach nearly 7 feet (2.13 m) tall, which can make traveling in an average car quite uncomfortable.
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