Modern men growing twice as fast as women, study finds

Men have gained height and weight at twice the rate of women over the past century as living conditions improved globally, according to research published in Biology Letters.

The study, led by University of Roehampton’s Professor Lewis Halsey, found that for every 0.2-point increase in the Human Development Index (HDI), men grew 4cm taller and 6.5kg heavier, while women gained 1.7cm in height and 2.7kg in weight.

Analysis of UK records showed male height increased 4% from 170cm to 177cm in the first half of the 20th century, while female height rose just 1.9% from 159cm to 162cm.

“About one in four women born in 1905 was taller than the average man born that year, but this dropped to about one in eight women for those born in 1958,” Halsey said.

Researchers attribute the disparity to sexual selection and improved environmental conditions, suggesting women’s preferences may have driven trends toward taller, larger men.

However, they note that in today’s context of rising obesity, increased weight does not necessarily correlate with muscle mass.

University of Minnesota’s Professor Michael Wilson called the findings “striking,” noting they align with theories about females being more constrained by reproductive demands, particularly in mammals.

The study also found that while greater height correlates with higher earnings, taller individuals face increased cancer risks, possibly due to having more cells that could develop mutations.