Does Height Affect Lifespan?

As humans, we are challenged by our own mortality every day. We are constantly searching for ways to improve our health and extend our lifespan. Many factors play into how long we live, including our genetics, lifestyle choices, and environment.

Over the years, science has revealed that height may also play a role in lifespan. Studies have found that shorter people tend to live longer than taller people; however, it is important to note that these studies are correlational, meaning that they can show a relationship between two variables but cannot prove causation.

So, is there any reason to believe that height actually affects lifespan? Let’s take a closer look.

Height and Lifespan: What are the Links?

For a long time, we suspected that short people lived longer than tall people – but there wasn’t a ton of evidence to back up this claim. However, in the last few decades, a number of studies have found correlations between height and lifespan. Here’s a brief overview of the evidence:

Italian Military Study

One of the first studies to look at the relationship between height and lifespan was conducted on Italian military personnel. This study found that, on average, men shorter than 161.1 cm (approx. 5’3″) lived longer than men who stood over 161.1 cm.

Keep in mind, though, that this was a relatively simple study; they didn’t take factors like body mass index (BMI) into account. Additionally, the study only looked at men – so we don’t know if the same would hold true for women.

FOX03 Genotype Study

A more recent and complex study was based on people with a FOX03 genotype, which is linked to longevity. For context, FOX03 is a key insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway and regulatory gene associated with human longevity and reduced insulin signaling.

This study looked at men of various heights. The findings showed that shorter people were more likely to have the FOX03 genotype than taller people.

Since the gene is linked closely with longevity, this study provided strong evidence that height and lifespan are connected – but again, there were a number of variables at play and factors that were not accounted for.

Basketball Players

One of the most interesting studies on height and lifespan was conducted on retired professional basketball players. The average height of an NBA player is around 6’5″, which is much taller than the general population. However, this study found that the tallest 5% of retired NBA players actually had a shorter lifespan than the rest.

So, what does this tell us? Well, it’s possible that being taller comes with some health risks that we don’t fully understand.

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the potential explanations.

Potential Explanations for the Relationship Between Height and Lifespan

There are a few potential explanations for why taller people might have a shorter lifespan. First, it’s important to remember that height is determined by genetics – and we know that some genes are linked with health risks. For example, tall people are more likely to have Marfan syndrome, which can lead to heart problems.

Additionally, taller people have bigger bones, organs, and blood vessels. This means that they need more nutrients to function properly, which can put them at risk for deficiencies. Additionally, it’s worth noting that a greater height comes with a higher cell count – and more cells equals more chances for mutations. So, it’s possible that taller people are more susceptible to cancer because they have more cells that can mutate and become malignant.

Where Else Does the Height Longevity Link Occur?

Interestingly, the relationship between height and lifespan has been found in a number of different animal species. For example, it’s long been observed that little dogs tend to live longer than big dogs. Similarly, smaller horses have a longer lifespan than their taller counterparts.

When we compare species, however, it’s fascinating to note how the bigger animals – like whales and elephants – have much longer lifespans compared to smaller species. It’s clear that being a taller animal does not always mean a shorter lifespan; more likely, it is a matter of an animal’s height within its own species.

Wrap-Up

So, does height affect our longevity as humans?

While there is a correlation between height and lifespan, it’s important to remember that several factors– genetic and environmental – can affect an individual’s lifespan. The relationship between height and lifespan also varies depending on the species being considered. 

So, while taller people might not live as long as their shorter counterparts, it’s certainly not a blanket rule and many complex factors are at play. Studies will continue to explore the potential connection between height and lifespan in an effort to better understand the role that genetics plays in our overall health.