Lower cancer risk
A study by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, involving 5 million people, indicates that increased height correlates with a higher incidence of cancer. Specifically, for every 10 cm increase in height, the risk of developing the disease rises by approximately 18% in women and 11% in men.
The World Cancer Research Fund reinforces this finding, noting that taller individuals are more prone to kidney, ovarian, pancreatic, and colon cancers.
Experts explain that taller people have more cells in their bodies and higher levels of growth hormones. This inadvertently increases the likelihood of cell mutations that can lead to cancer.
Reduced risk of venous thromboembolism
Shorter individuals are less likely to face VTE, a dangerous blood clot condition in the veins. A 2017 analysis of two million people of the same lineage revealed that men under 1,60 m had a 65% lower risk of VTE compared to those over 1,88 m. For women, those under 1,55 m had a 69% lower risk than women over 1,83 m.
Doctor Bengt Zoller, the study's author, states that shorter individuals are naturally protected from blood clots. This is because longer legs result in longer blood vessels, which slows the process of blood pumping back to the heart and creates conditions conducive to clot formation.
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Anh minh hoa: iStock
Minimized risk of bone fractures
Shorter individuals also maintain better balance as they age. According to a 2016 meta-analysis of 100,000 people, taller individuals have a 30-40% higher rate of hip fractures. Due to their higher center of gravity, they are more likely to lose balance when stumbling and experience a stronger impact force when their body hits the ground.
Extended lifespan
Having a compact body helps many people live longer by two to five years. Research published in 2024 by Doctor Bradley Willcox from the University of Hawaii, US, shows that men under 1,57 m tall have the longest lifespans.
Beyond mechanical factors, the underlying reason lies in the FOXO3 gene, a longevity gene more commonly found in people with smaller builds. Nevertheless, Harvard University scientists emphasize that a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and regular exercise remain the key determinants of overall health, regardless of one's height.
Ngoc Ngan (According to New York Post)
