Over the past century, both men’s and women’s average heights have significantly increased. This results in an improvement of life quality overall, but which factor specifically holds a key role? Besides, what are men’s heights all over the world on average?

Factors that influence height

There is a considerable possibility that you will be tall if your family is all tall. In the end, heredity has the most significant impact on a person’s height. Nevertheless, your physical development also heavily depends on environmental conditions.

Human growth hormone (HGH) secretion, which affects general development and weight, may be influenced by how much sleep a person gets during their childhood and adolescent years.

Access to nutrient-dense whole foods, such as fresh produce, protein, dairy products, and whole grains, might affect a person’s diet and ability to grow and remain healthy. Every nation on earth suffers from malnutrition, one way or another, and children’s access to proper nourishment can have an impact on their weight and height, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Even a person’s posture can affect height, particularly if you slouch and get a hunch.

Medical conditions that cause extreme height

Dwarfism is the medical term for extremely short stature. There are upwards of 300 conditions that cause dwarfism and most of these conditions are genetic.

For example, achondroplasia is a genetic disorder that affects bone growth. People who have this condition may have a normal-sized torso with shorter arms and legs and overall shorter stature.

Some other conditions related to dwarfism include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Intrauterine growth retardation
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Turner syndrome (Monosomy X)

On the other end of the spectrum, the medical community uses the term gigantism to describe extremely tall height. Further, several medical problems can cause gigantism.

Acromegaly is an endocrine (hormonal) condition that causes excessive growth hormone production, which results in a large stature. Acromegaly may result from a pituitary tumor (adenoma), which results in an excessive release of growth hormone.

Gigantism is also related to other conditions, including:

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)
• McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)
• Neurofibromatosis
• Carney complex

The average height for men in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age-adjusted height for American men 20 years old and up is 69.1 inches (175.4 centimeters), which is about 5 feet 9 inches tall. (1)

How does this number compare to other countries?

The average height for men internationally

The average age-adjusted height for men worldwide between the age of 18 and 25 is 68.5 inches (174 centimeters), which is about 5 feet 8 inches tall. (2)

The country with the tallest men is the Netherlands, where they are 72.4 inches (184 centimeters) on average.

Accurately measuring your height at home

It could be challenging to take your height measurement at home. You can ask a friend or member of your family to help you so you can know where you stand.

Measuring your height with someone’s help

1. Get to a room with firm clean flooring and a clear wall.
2. Take off any shoes, clothing, and accessories that could affect your results. Remove any braids or ponytails that could keep your head from lying flat against a wall.
3. The heels of your feet should be against the wall as you stand.
4. Fix your focus on the immediate horizon so that your line of sight is perpendicular to the ground.
5. Ensure that the wall is in contact with your head, heels, butt, and shoulders. Though some body parts may not touch due to shape, try to do your best. You must stand straight before taking any measurements.
6. Your helper should use a flat headpiece to measure your height, such as a wall-mounted ruler or a book. You should lower the object until it makes strong, direct contact with the top of your head.
7. When carefully marking where the measurement tool hits the wall, your partner should make one mark only while maintaining eye contact with the measurement tool.
8. Your height from the floor to the mark can be measured using a tape measure.
9. Record your number to the closest 1/8 inch (or 0.1 centimeters).

Measuring your height by yourself

You might be able to measure your height at home even without anyone to assist you. Take into consideration investing in a cheap wall-mounted height meter, or carry out the actions described below:

1. Take off any shoes, clothing, and accessories that could affect your results. Remove any braids or ponytails that could keep your head from lying flat against a wall.
2. The heels of your feet should be against the wall as you stand.
3. Fix your focus on the immediate horizon so that your line of sight is perpendicular to the ground.
4. Ensure that the wall is in contact with your head, heels, butt, and shoulders. Though some body parts may not touch due to shape, try to do your best. You must stand straight before taking any measurements.
5. Slide a flat object, such as a book or a cutting board, down the wall until you can bring it down to make firm contact with the top of your head. Stand tall with your shoulders flat on the wall.
6. When it lands firmly on top of your head, make a mark there.
7. The height from the floor to the mark is what you should measure using a tape measure.
8. Record your number to the closest 1/8 inch (or 0.1 centimeters).

At the doctor’s office

If you follow all the instructions above and have assistance, you might be able to achieve a measure that is somewhat accurate at home. On the other hand, it might be a good idea to get your height measured in the doctor’s office as part of a standard physical examination.

Your doctor’s office may have better-calibrated equipment and staff who have received more training in taking the most accurate measurements.

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