new article on height trends in humans and environmental and longevity
effects

Authors
  Samaras TT.  Storms LH.
Title
  Secular growth and its harmful ramifications [Review]
Source
  Medical Hypotheses. 58(2):93-112, 2002 Feb.
Abstract
  Secular growth has been occurring in Europe for about 150 years. In the
USA, since 1900, each new generation has increased by an average of 1
in(2.54 cm) in height and about 10lb (4.54 kg) in weight. This trend has
generally been viewed as favorable and tallness is admired, with the current
ideal height for a man in the Western world being 6 ft 2 in (188 cm). The
Japanese have increased in height since the end of the Second World War by
about 5 in (12.7cm) in height and the Chinese have been growing at the rate
of 2.54cm/decade since the 1950s. In spite of admiring greater height, a
world population of increasing height and body-weight is a major threat to
our environment, health and survival. Based on more than two decades of
research, quantitative data are given for increased use of resources, and
increased pollution, energy and fiscal costs resulting from a population of
larger people. The laws of scaling are described to show why the impact of
increasing stature has a non-linear impact on consumption, body-weight,
strength, pollution and economic costs. Paleontological findings indicating
that larger body size increases the risk of extinction are also discussed.
Various studies indicate a loss of 0.47 year of longevity for each cm
increment of height. Caloric restricted diets are also reviewed for their
applicability to humans. Recommendations are made for dietary practices to
moderate growth in our youth and to postpone development of chronic or
degenerative diseases. (C) 2002 Harcourt Publishers Ltd. [References: 173]
  Reprint available from:
  Samaras TT
  Reventropy Associates
  11487 Madera Rosa Way
  San Diego, CA
  USA

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