Men’s height and weight rise twice as fast as women’s over last century, study shows

A global study reveals that men have grown in height and weight twice as fast as women over the past century, reflecting the impact of improved living conditions and sexual selection, The Guardian reported.

Researchers, led by Prof. Lewis Halsey of the University of Roehampton, analyzed data from the World Health Organization and historical UK records, linking physical growth to human development index (HDI) improvements.

For every 0.2-point rise in HDI, men grew on average 4cm taller and gained 6.5kg, while women increased by 1.7cm and 2.7kg. In the UK, male height rose 4% from 170cm to 177cm since 1900, compared to 1.9% for women.

The study suggests women’s preference for taller, more robust men may have driven the trend, though larger body size also correlates with higher cancer risks. Researchers noted that men’s growth is more sensitive to better nutrition and reduced disease.