Is evolution making people taller... or shorter?

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bbtopp
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Genetics
Is evolution making people taller... or shorter?
post #1

I found a Scientific American article that describes while some data have shown an increase in height over a period of time, it does not seem like a lasting trend, and the reasons are not due to evolutionary pressure favoring taller men. In fact, sometimes shorter heights are favored by evolution.

 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-are-we-getting-taller/

Last Edited By bbtopp (2017-07-08 05:47:39)

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joshbaskins
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Re: Is evolution making people taller... or shorter?
post #2

It varies. Neanderthals were 6'+. People in the Middle Ages were about 5'9, and then during the industrial revolution, went down to about 5'5. Now we're back at 5'9. Probably has more to do with environment than anything else. 

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elpip_226
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Re: Is evolution making people taller... or shorter?
post #3

There is an article that said that humans migrating out of Africa ended up being shorter and that helped them survive the Ice Age. I will link it.

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multinational
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Re: Is evolution making people taller... or shorter?
post #4

Somewhere in this forum. There is actually a post explaining that we are getting shorter. Rather thats true or not idk.