THERE are several factors which can influence our risk of health issues, from the foods we eat to how much sleep we get and also our genetics. But did you know that height can also play a part?
A shorter stature has been linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, while being tall may increase your chances of back pain.
Your height can influence your risk of everything from cancer to dementia[/caption]
“Height can provide some useful clues about overall health, though it’s important to stress that it is only one piece of the puzzle and not a predictor of individual outcomes,” Dr Peter Fotinos, medical director at Male Excel, tells Sun Health.
Whether you’re tall or short, are you more likely to get any of the following…?
1. Heart disease
THERE are more than 7.6million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Around 49,000 people under the age of 75 die from these conditions each year.
If you’re tall, you may be off the hook – or at least be less likely to fall ill.
“A large-scale study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that each additional 2.5in (6.5cm) in height was associated with a 13 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease,” says Dr Fotinos.
“Scientists believe this may be partly due to larger arteries and better lung capacity in taller people.”
So according to the research, someone who is around 5ft has a 32 per cent higher chance of heart disease than someone who is 5ft 6in.
Shorter people also fare worse when it comes to strokes, with every extra inch cutting your risk by 6.5 per cent.
And research by Queen Mary University of London, using data from 800,000 people from around the world, found that taller people are more prone to atrial fibrillation – an irregular heart rhythm.
When to see a doctor
No matter your height, it’s important to seek medical help if you display any concerning symptoms.
“If you have any ongoing fatigue or tiredness that can’t be explained by your lifestyle, any breathlessness or a persistent cough, then visit your GP,” says Dr Cheryl Lythgoe, matron at Benenden Health.
These could indicate an underlying heart-related condition that may require treatment.
In serious cases, such as a heart attack, you may experience pain that travels from your chest to your arms, jaw, neck, back or stomach, sweating, nausea and breathlessness. Call 999 immediately.
2. Cancer
ONE in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer, statistics show.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, exercise and diet, can have a huge impact on whether or not we face the big C – but height may also play a part.
“Studies, including those published in The Lancet Oncology, suggest that taller adults face a slightly increased risk of certain cancers, such as breast, bowel and melanoma,” says Dr Fotinos.
“This is possibly because of higher levels of growth factors and more cells in the body that can undergo malignant changes.”
Dr Lythgoe adds: “Large scale research of over 100,000 women who lived in Europe and North America also suggested that shorter women are less likely to get ovarian cancer.
“Similarly, a British study of 9,000 men demonstrated that shorter men have a lower chance of getting prostate cancer.”
General red flags include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, unusual lumps or swellings, bleeding without injury and pain that doesn’t go away
Dr Cheryl Lythgoe
However, the true science around this is still up for question.
“Some suggest that the taller we are, the more cells we have, which could mean more chances for cell change and therefore a higher risk of cancer,” Dr Lythgoe says.
“There are also sociological links to height and cancer risk; if a child is subject to poor diet, illness, increased or a lack of hormone levels, these sociological impacts do infer greater cancer risk.”
She warns that the research only provides a small increase in risk though.
“Concentrating on the metrics that we can impact – such as our lifestyles – is more effective in reducing our risk of cancer,” Dr Lythgoe adds.
According to Dr Fotinos, the best way to protect yourself from cancer is to maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, limit alcohol and stay up-to-date with any recommended cancer screenings and vaccines.
Cancer screenings in England
CATCHING cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and a huge part of that is attending regular screenings.
NHS programmes can help diagnose the disease, or your risk of it, and improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
There are three national screening programmes in England: cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening.
“If you are eligible, please make every effort to have your screening test as they can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. ,” the NHS says.
“Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.”
Cervical screening
This is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64.
Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier.
During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Those that test positive are then analysed further.
Breast screening
Breast screenings, which involve an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel, are usually offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England.
But the NHS is trialling them for women under 50 if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Bowel screening
This test detects whether patients are showing any early signs of cancer.
It is available to everyone aged 50 to 74, with at-home kits automatically sent out every two years, so make sure your GP has your correct address.
The test involves providing a small poo sample to be checked for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by cancer.
If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
Source: NHS
When to see a doctor
Whether you’re tall or short, if you notice any persistent or unexplained changes in your body, Dr Lythgoe says it’s important to speak to a doctor as these could be early warning signs of cancer.
“General red flags include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, unusual lumps or swellings, bleeding without injury and pain that doesn’t go away,” she adds.
“Other signs include heavy night sweats, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough or breathlessness and skin changes like a new or changing moles.”
3. Alzheimer’s disease
THE UK’s biggest killer – dementia – is predominantly influenced by genetics and environmental factors.
But if you’re tall, you may have a lower risk of developing the brain-robbing disease.
Research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that shorter men and women had a higher risk of dying from dementia, but the link was stronger in men.
Blokes who were 5ft 5in or shorter were 50 per cent more likely to develop the condition, and die from it, than those who were above 5ft 8in.
It’s impossible to change your height, but Dr Lythgoe explains that the factors which can influence height – such as childhood nutrition, infections and growing up in poorer areas – can have lasting effects on health.
“It’s also important to consider that taller people will have increased neural connections secondary to having a larger brain volume which may provide greater resistance to Alzheimer’s and its associated conditions,” adds Dr Lythgoe.
When to see a doctor
There are several key signs which may indicate you or a loved one are developing Alzheimer’s – the most common form of dementia.
“Memory loss that is affecting your daily life, confusion around your daily routine and struggling with planning, problem solving or general understanding are key signs,” says Dr Lythgoe.
If you are experiencing problems with communication, such as repeating phrases, forgetting your words or losing track during a conversation, then see your GP for further advice.
4. Diabetes
THE number of people living with diabetes is at an all-time high, according to Diabetes UK.
Interestingly, there is evidence which points towards taller people having a lower risk of type 2 diabetes – where the body struggles to use or produce enough of the hormone insulin properly, which causes glucose (sugar) to build up in the blood instead of being used for energy.
“A widely cited study in the journal Diabetologia found that for each additional 4in (10cm) in height, the risk of type 2 diabetes decreased by 41 per cent in men and 33 per cent in women,” says Dr Fotinos.
“This protective effect seems to be linked to healthier metabolic profiles in taller people, such as carrying less body fat and storing it more evenly, particularly in the liver.”
But it’s still not fully clear whether height itself directly reduces the risk, or whether the benefit comes from these related metabolic factors.
When to see a doctor
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue or needing to pee a lot, Dr Fotinos says you should book an appointment with your GP who can arrange a glucose check.
Studies show shorter men have a greater chance of going bald[/caption]
5. Hair loss
ACCORDING to the NHS, there are approximately 6.5million men and eight million women affected by hair loss in the UK.
Most people experience a natural thinning of hair with age but a study in the journal Nature Communications found a link between shorter height and an increased risk of male pattern baldness.
Scientists followed 22,000 men across seven countries and found that shorter guys had a greater chance of going bald.
“This hair loss is potentially linked to hormonal and growth factor differences during development when they were younger,” says Dr Fotinos.
Don’t panic though, treatments are available. These include minoxidil, a topical solution that stimulates hair growth; finasteride, a prescription pill; low-level laser therapy to encourage hair follicle growth; or a hair transplant.
When to see a doctor
“Seek medical guidance if hair loss is rapid, patchy or accompanied by scalp inflammation or itchiness,” says Dr Fotinos.
This could indicate underlying conditions like autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata, fungal infections like tinea capitis, or inflammatory scalp conditions such as psoriasis.
6. Back pain
ANY sort of back pain can often make day-to-day living unbearable.
If you’re tall, you might end up experiencing back pain more often, according to Dr Fotinos, who says that taller men and women often have greater spinal load.
“This can lead to chronic back pain or disc issues,” he adds.
Research published in the British Medical Journal found that taller women had an increased risk of lower back pain, while another study in the journal Arthritis Care and Research discovered that tall people are more likely to undergo back surgery for lower back pain – although they didn’t find a solid connection between height and back pain itself.
“Home strategies such as strengthening your core muscles, using ergonomic chairs to improve posture and applying heat or cold therapy can help,” says Dr Fotinos.
When to see a doctor
If your back pain is persistent, the pain radiates to your legs or it’s accompanied by numbness or weakness, speak to your GP.
These are often due to conditions such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or sciatica.
“A doctor may recommend an X-ray or MRI, physical therapy, or in some cases refer to an orthopedic specialist or pain clinic,” adds Dr Fotinos.
Tall people might report more back pain[/caption]