Height influences risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer

Public Release: 2-Feb-2016
Height influences risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer
Deutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD

Height is largely genetically determined, but in recent decades the height of children and adults has steadily increased throughout the world: In adulthood the children are almost always significantly taller than their parents.

•••••

The study shows that height has an important impact on the mortality from certain common diseases, irrespective of body fat mass and other modulating factors. Previous studies have shown clearly that tall people, in comparison to short people, have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes but have a higher cancer risk. "Epidemiological data show that per 6.5 cm in height the risk of cardiovascular mortality decreases by six percent, but cancer mortality, by contrast, increases by four percent," Professor Schulze said.

•••••