The Average Height of Indian People

Despite the wide disparity in average heights among countries, height is still frequently regarded as an important factor in today’s beauty standards. India is a fascinating country with a population of more than 1.3 billion people, making it currently the country with the highest population in the world. Today, we will share an intriguing truth about Indian men’s and women’s average heights. Is the average height of Indians higher or lower than the rest of the world? To find out the answer, keep reading this article!

What is the average height for Indian men and women?

The average height for Indian men

Indian men typically stand at 5 feet, 5.5 inches (166.5 cm) [1].

The average height for Indian women

Indian ladies are typically 5 feet, 1.1 inches tall (155.2 cm) [1].

The average height of Indians compared to the world

A research examines trends in the heights of Indian men and women between the ages of 15 and 25 and 26 and 50, based on the National Family and Health Surveys. 

NFHS is carried out by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and is one of the top Indian resources for studying public health. The study is representative of Indian households on a state and national basis. According to the paper, although there is an increase in the world’s average height, the average height of an Indian is declining [2]. 

The researchers discovered that except for women between the ages of 26–50, Indians in the 15–50 age range have seen a decline in their average height. The mean height of women aged 15 to 25 decreased by 0.04 inches (0.12 cm), while that of women aged 26 to 50 increased by 0.05 cm. Men aged 15 to 25 saw a mean height decline of 1.10 cm during this time, while men aged 26 to 50 saw a mean height decline of 0.33 cm.

This is concerning because the average height of a nation is one of the most important criteria for assessing a country’s public health condition. It may also reflect other social and economic factors in that country, such as caste and wealth. Therefore, a decline in the country of India’s average height should be taken into careful consideration.

Reasons why Indians are slow to grow taller

While genetics play a significant part in height, non-genetic factors like nutrition and environment also have a big impact. Height and prosperity have a strong correlation. Caste and other factors, such as household traits (such as the number of siblings) and nutrition, can affect a person’s development. According to World Bank projections, childhood stunting can result in a 1% loss in adult height and a 1.4% loss in economic productivity. India loses about 4% of its GDP annually because of undernourishment, according to a study by the business group Assocham and the consulting company EY [3].

How can Indians grow taller?

Eat a healthy diet

One’s well-being depends on eating a balanced diet. Indians are facing several health dangers due to having a poor diet and not exercising enough. A balanced diet can help you manage your weight, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also help prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as well as malnutrition in all of its manifestations. A balanced diet should contain several important nutrients, such as protein, good fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins. 

Increase vitamin D intake

Calcium must be absorbed by the body for strong bones and muscles to grow. Vitamin D deficiency is frequently linked to obesity or impaired growth. You can eat foods like fatty seafood, orange juice, mushrooms, egg yolk, fortified cereals, beef liver, and milk to raise your vitamin D levels. Since sunlight helps turn dormant levels into active ones, exposure to sunlight is also beneficial for the production of vitamin D.

Take dietary supplements

Dietary supplements are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, such as pills, gummies, and powders. For various age groups, using supplements to promote growth is advised because multivitamins can include a variety of important nutrients. Supplement use can be advantageous for Idians’ general health and growth if they are still growing. 

Drink enough water daily

It’s crucial to get enough water on a daily basis. It can help to lessen mood swings and avoid dehydration. Water has no calories, unlike sugary beverages like sweet tea or normal soda, so it can also aid in weight management and lower levels of toxic substances in the body.

Exercise

Through stimulatory effects on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) and other anabolic hormones, exercise can promote natural development and is a crucial stimulus for reparative growth. Stature development is reliant on a neuroendocrine system that directs nutritional energy toward increases in lean body mass. 

Get proper sleep

Everyone needs to take a night of deep sleep for at least eight hours. As their bodies repair and develop while they slumber, this is crucial for their health.

Correct body posture

Having a good posture can help almost everyone appear taller than they actually are. For the sake of your long-term health, maintain a good balance. Proper bodily alignment can help to avoid pain, injuries, and other health issues.

In conclusion,

India’s current undernutrition crisis and sluggish economic development are apparent in the population’s average height. Among the many issues this nation is currently facing are the class divide, the property system, the labor laws, and many others. The administration has shown how challenging the reforms are and that there haven’t been many significant developments to deal with these issues. India still has to improve immensely in terms of general health, and there are many programs that need to be put in place for its people to grow taller and healthier.

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