From a site called Fisher Scientific -
Why Are Dutch People So Tall?
dutch-mother-and-son
By Celeste Beley
The Netherlands is officially the tallest country on planet Earth. For the most part, scientists believed this was due to wealth, a rich diet and quality health care. But a new study suggests that the overall height of Dutch people may actually be human evolution in action.
Scientists have identified 180 genes that influence your height. Individually, all account for a very small effect, but combined, may explain up to 80% of the variation in height of a population. Environmental factors may also play a role. For example, children of Japanese immigrants to Hawaii are much taller than their parents. Scientists attribute this to a diet that is rich in milk and meat.
The Dutch have grown so quickly in a short period of time that most of the growth is attributed to their changing environment. They are one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of cheese and milk. Scientists also wonder if natural selection may have played a role: height is associated with better health, attractiveness, better education and higher income - potentially leading to more reproductive success.
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