Shrinking Americans

Two articles, one from newsday.com and the other from AlterNet, talk about how Americans are losing their height advantage over the rest of the world. Historically Americans have always been taller than people in other places. In 1850 for example, the average American was 2.5 inches taller than the average European. Now the situation has nearly reversed with the average Dutchman being 2 inches taller than the average American.

It's not that being tall actually makes you smarter, richer or healthier. It's that the same things that make you tall -- a nutritious diet, good prenatal care and a healthy childhood -- also benefit you in those other ways.