Before you read this, breathe in...and let it out. A recent article written by Lisa Collier about 'Day in Health' addresses several challenges or perks on height. You don't have to admit it now, but I know there have been times when you felt either too tall or too short - depending on who's standing beside you at that time. Maybe that's not your story; well, you're one of the luck few. You're just perfect!

For those who have wondered what role their heights play in their health, lifestyle, habits, and other daily living that you never even thought about, this article is for you. I thought it was fascinating that "taller men may make more money that shorter men," "shorter women tend to have more children than taller women," and "shorter people are likely to outlive their taller peers."

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with these scientists and their study/discoveries?

Read on and leave your comments.

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On average, taller people score slightly higher on IQ tests than shorter people, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS Genetics.

If you tower over your neighbors, those findings may add inches to your ego. But don’t let height go to your head! Studies have linked both tallness and shortness to a variety of health risks and benefits.

Genes influence height and intelligence

Using data collected from twins and their parents—totaling nearly 8000 participants—researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder examined links found between elevated height and IQ.

Their findings suggest that two factors may be at play. First, it appears there are genes that influence both IQ and height, notes Matthew Keller, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, in a statement.

“At the same time, it also looks like people who are taller are slightly more likely to choose mates who are smarter and vice versa,” adds Keller. “Such mate choice causes ‘IQ genes’ and ‘tall genes’ to become statistically associated with one another.”

Tallness comes with risks and benefits

Average intelligence isn’t the only thing that grows with height. If you are tall, you may also have a greater chance of:

- Being bitten by bugs. The Scottish biting midge, a voracious blood-sucking bug, prefers taller and heavier people, found researchers at Rothamsted Research and the University of Aberdeen. Larger people provide larger targets, while producing more heat, moisture, carbon dioxide, and other chemicals that can attract insects.

- Developing dangerous blood clots. Compared to shorter control groups, taller people are more likely to develop potentially life-threatening blood clots in the deep veins of their legs and other body parts, report Science-daily researchers in Norway. In particular, the risk is heightened among men and women who are tall and obese.

- Experiencing cancer. Compared to shorter peers, taller post-menopausal women are at greater risk of cancer, warn researchers in the journal ofCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. In particular, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and cancers of the thyroid, rectum, kidney, endometrium, colorectum, colon, ovary, and breast are associated with tallness.

- Earning more money. On the upside, taller men may earn more money on average than shorter men, according to research conducted in Australia. It may be that shorter men experience discrimination in response to their stature, suggest the authors (Andrew Leigh, 'Body Size'), while taller men may enjoy a boost in social status.

Shortness comes with perks and dangers

Shortness also comes with its share of health benefits and risks. If you are short, you may have higher odds of:

- Living longer. A recent study by Taylor & Francis (tandfonline) nearly 500 men in Sardinia revealed that shorter fellows were likely to outlive their taller peers by an average of 2 years, based on their height at age 20. In addition, a research review (by science direct) published in Life Sciences noted that data compiled from millions of deaths suggests that people of short stature have longer lifespans.

- Having children. According to researchers from the Netherlands (by science daily), shorter women tend to have more children than taller ladies. The reasons remain unclear – but lead researcher, Gert Stulp, Ph.D., suspects that shorter women may spend more energy on reproduction. When it comes to men, Stulp found in a separate study (link-springer) that those of average height appear to have the most children.

- Developing heart disease. While deep vein blood clots are common among tall folk, the risk of cardiovascular disease in general is greater among short people. In fact, a systematic review of 52 studies (European Society of Cardiology - Emma Mason) found that shorter men and women are approximately 1.5 times more likely to develop symptoms and die from cardiovascular disease than taller people.

- Having strong character and a sense of humor. John Schwartz, a reporter for The New York Times and author of Short: Walking Tall When You Are Not Tall, believes that many so-called problems associated with shortness have been manufactured or overblown by drug companies that market growth hormones. In an interview with NPR, he credits shortness and its associated stigma with pushing smaller people to work harder, become tougher, and develop a good sense of humor.

Don’t let your height get you down

Height is influenced by many factors, including multiple genetic variants and environmental conditions. In rare cases, extreme tallness or shortness may reflect an underlying health condition that requires medical treatment, such as Gigantismor Turner syndrome.

In most cases, however, experts encourage people to focus on health factors within their control, such as not smoking, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight. Whether you’re short or tall—healthy lifestyle choices are your best bet for well-being and longevity.

Sources: Lisa Collier (Daily Health), Sciendaily, Eurakaalert [Lisa Collier Cool is a bestselling author and winner of 19 journalism awards, including a National Magazine Award]. Images (c/o Google)

http://www.infonubia.com/2013/09/research-shows-odd-facts-about-short.html

Iz 5ft7 Short?

...

....Okay....

So I have a chance of living longer• That's good enough for me• #TeamShortPeople

braine: So I have a chance of living longer• That's good enough for me• #TeamShortPeople

Hahaha

Abeg, I be 5'5. I short?
Lol...

rodeo0070: Abeg, I be 5'5. I short?
Lol...

U short pass Jamey Maxwell ^^^

Jamey Maxwell: Iz 5ft7 Short?

A good measure will be to know the average height of a Nigerian (or African) male. If 5"7 falls below the average, then it's short and vice versa

braine: So I have a chance of living longer• That's good enough for me• #TeamShortPeople

Lmao!!!
..
All izz well!

Kslib:
Lmao!!!
..
All izz well!

Jamey Maxwell: Iz 5ft7 Short?

I believe anyone below 6ft is short• But then been short does not and should not determine who one is•

braine:

I believe anyone below 6ft is short• But then been short does not and should not determine who one is•

I agree with your second statement a hundred percent. To add to it, height should not determine who one is.

I know short people are aggressive sha, but what about average height peeps like me

The researchers didn't say what height range they grouped under tall and what they grouped under short...

I hope I am among tall ones sha, even though I dey under 6ft.
The tall people perks are way better than the ones for short people IMO.

NL member: The researchers didn't say what height range they grouped under tall and what they grouped under short...

I hope I am among tall ones sha, even though I dey under 6ft.
The tall people perks are way better than the ones for short people IMO.

It don't matter if you are tall or short. It's beyond your control. If you are single, you can help your offspring by marrying someone with a higher genetical permutation for either tall or short gene (depending on what you want).

prymesolution: It don't matter if you are tall or short. It's beyond your control. If you are single, you can help your offspring by marrying someone with a higher genetical permutation for either tall or short gene (depending on what you want).

ha! so what happens to "love is blind" if people start considering heights before dating. I guess it's always been a factor

prymesolution: It don't matter if you are tall or short. It's beyond your control. If you are single, you can help your offspring by marrying someone with a higher genetical permutation for either tall or short gene (depending on what you want).

What if the child takes after the short parent and ends up being short as well?
That one no be solution na.

NL member: The researchers didn't say what height range they grouped under tall and what they grouped under short...

I hope I am among tall ones sha, even though I dey under 6ft.
The tall people perks are way better than the ones for short people IMO.

Who told you there no better perks for short people? Is it the tall girls we don't rock? Or we don't get good jobs? Its only those who have the height isssue all in their heads that don't enjoy perks• I trust myself sha•

TALL people!!

we rock.

NL member: The researchers didn't say what height range they grouped under tall and what they grouped under short...

I hope I am among tall ones sha, even though I dey under 6ft.
The tall people perks are way better than the ones for short people IMO.

Now I understand you better, shortie

NL member:

What if the child takes after the short parent and ends up being short as well?
That one no be solution na.

Good point!

deols:

Now I understand you better, shortie

How tall are you deols?

braine:

Who told you there no better perks for short people? Is it the tall girls we don't rock? Or we don't get good jobs? Its only those who have the height isssue all in their heads that don't enjoy perks• I trust myself sha•

But they said tall people know book pass short people.
No be that one matter pass?

Pls oh am 9ft 4, am I too short? My cousins are always abusing me dat am too short just because most of them are 10ft...what do I eat to grow taller? *Abeg na joke oh*

bloglover: Pls oh am 9ft 4, am I too short? My cousins are always abusing me dat am too short just because most of them are 10ft...what do I eat to grow taller? *Abeg na joke oh*

Lol....I was about to ask if ur ancestors are related to Goliath.

bloglover: Pls oh am 9ft 4, am I too short? My cousins are always abusing me dat am too short just because most of them are 10ft...what do I eat to grow taller? *Abeg na joke oh*

For your mind....lol

NL member:

How tall are you deols?

Exquisitely tall

Elegantly tall

Confidently tall

Tall for a lady

deols:

Exquisitely tall

Elegantly tall

Confidently tall

Tall for a lady

Wishes of a short girl•

braine:

Wishes of a short girl•

eiyyah. You can start wearing heels