Men Have Grown Taller and Heavier at Twice the Rate of Women Over the Past Century

A century-long study links improved living conditions to greater increases in male height and weight, driven by sexual selection and environmental factors.

A new study analyzing over 100 years of global data reveals that men have grown taller and heavier at more than double the rate of women, with findings published in *Biology Letters*.
Researchers found that for every 0.2-point increase in the Human Development Index (HDI), men grew an average of 4 cm taller and 6.5 kg heavier, compared to 1.7 cm and 2.7 kg for women.
Sexual selection and environmental improvements, such as better nutrition and lower disease burden, are cited as key drivers of the growing sexual size dimorphism in humans.
Men’s height and weight are more sensitive to living conditions, with taller men often perceived as healthier and more attractive, according to the study authors.
The trend comes with potential health trade-offs, as taller men face higher risks of certain diseases like cancer and cardiovascular issues.