Buzz
If you've been to a museum or explored colonial homes, you might have noticed that people today tend to be taller than those from the past. Over the last 150 years, average height in industrialized nations has risen by roughly 10 centimeters (about 4 inches). In the early 1700s, the average height of an English male was 165 cm (5 ft 5 in), while an Irish male averaged 168 cm (5 ft 6 in). American men were taller back then, and by the 19th century, they'd gained an additional 3-9 cm over their European counterparts. Today, the average height of men in England is 175.4 cm (5 ft 9 in), while U.S. men still surpass them at 177.6 cm (5 ft 10 in).
This growth spurt in human height is actually a recent occurrence in the grand scheme of history. Before this, average heights fluctuated due to various environmental and social factors. For instance, during the Middle Ages, lower population densities led to more available food, which contributed to taller individuals.
But is this trend still continuing? Will we need to adjust infrastructure like raising basketball hoops? Most likely, no. The increase in height seems to have plateaued recently, and although there may always be exceptions, it’s likely that we've reached the peak height for our species. To understand why, we need to explore the reasons behind our growth in the first place.
The answer is quite simple and draws from the Middle Ages example. Since the mid-20th century, improved access to better nutrition and healthcare has allowed individuals to fully reach their growth potential. Advances in science and technology, particularly in childhood nutrition and the reduction of childhood illnesses, have also contributed to the rise in height. This is supported by the fact that historically, populations with limited access to food tend to be shorter.
Now that most people in industrialized nations no longer face malnutrition or widespread epidemics, the average human height has stabilized. This is likely a positive development for architects and manufacturers of basketball hoops.
