Why Is The Current Generation's Body Posture Higher? Check Out The Medical Explanation

Have you ever noticed that our parents, even grandparents, tend to be shorter than our current generation? When compared, the average height of Indonesians is currently higher than those born decades ago.

This phenomenon is not just an impression, but is supported by scientific research which shows that the height of human bodies has indeed increased over time.

"Over the past century, adult height has changed substantially and unevenly in world countries," according to research published in the eLife journal.

One of the main reasons why children in ancient times were shorter quality and lower nutritional quantity than today. In the past, many people lived in difficult economic conditions, so food intake often did not meet the body's nutritional needs, especially for children who were growing.

"NuTRients and infections during childhood and adolescents are important determining factors in height as adults. Children who lack nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin D are at risk of experiencing growth barriers that lead to short posture," according to the researchers.

The next factor is the environment and access to health services. In the past, poor sanitation, limited clean water, and high exposure to infectious diseases made children's bodies more susceptible to illness. Diseases such as chronic diarrhea, tuberculosis, and parasitic infections are very common and can disrupt the process of absorbing nutrients in the body.

Now, with increased access to health services, immunization, and awareness of the importance of cleanliness, children can grow in healthier conditions, so that their bodies develop more optimally.

Changes in height also reflect economic progress and education in a country. Today's parents tend to be more aware of the importance of providing exclusive breast milk, balanced nutritious food, and examining children's growth and development. All of this contributes to increasing the height of the new generation of bodies.

Studies show countries like South Korea experienced a significant increase in height in line with rapid economic growth. South Korean women born in 1896 had an average height of only 142 cm. However, those born one hundred years later in 1996, reached an average height of 162 cm. This is a major leap in a century.

In addition, genetic factors affect a person's height. However, genes only provide maximum potential, while whether the potential is achieved or not depends heavily on the environment.

If a person comes from a tall family, but during childhood he is malnourished or often sick, his height can still be shorter than expected. On the other hand, children from families with an average posture can grow higher if they are raised in conditions that support growth.

In a global study by Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), it was found that adult height has increased significantly over the past 100 years, particularly in European countries and East Asia.

On the other hand, the growth in height in African countries Sub-Sahara and South Asia is stagnant or even decreased due to nutritional and health problems that have not been fully resolved.

Countries such as Niger, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone have even experienced an average drop in height, in people born in the early 1960s.

Highest And Shortest Population Countries

The country with the Highest Men1. Netherlands2. Belgium3. Estonia4. Latvia5. Denmark

The country with the Highest Women1. Latvia2. Netherlands3. Estonia4. Czech Republic5. Serbia

The country with the shortest man1. Timor Leste2. Yemen3. Laos4. Madagascar5. Malawi

Country with Shortest Woman1. Guatemala2. Philippines3. Bangladesh4. Nepal5. Timor Leste