Analysis of 65 Million People in 193 Countries... Netherlands Ranks 1st
South Korean 19-Year-Olds: Males 175.5cm, Females 163.2cm
China and Korea Show Greatest Improvement Over 35 Years
Sub-Saharan Africa Stagnates or Declines Since 1985
On the 6th (local time), according to BBC and others, a research team from Imperial College London in the UK analyzed the height and body mass index (BMI) of more than 65 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 from 193 countries worldwide between 1985 and 2019, and published their findings in the medical journal The Lancet. Photo by Imperial College London website capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The average height of 19-year-old adolescents in Korea has significantly improved over 35 years, ranking around 60th globally for both males and females.
Thirty-five years ago, Korea ranked around 130th worldwide, but it has been found to have made one of the greatest improvements globally alongside China.
On the 6th (local time), according to BBC and others, a research team from Imperial College London analyzed the height and body mass index (BMI) of over 65 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 from 193 countries between 1985 and 2019, publishing their findings in the medical journal 'The Lancet.'
According to the analysis, as of 2019, the average height of 19-year-old Korean adolescents ranked 68th for males (175.5 cm) and 60th for females (163.2 cm).
In 1985, the average height was only ranked 132nd worldwide (168.7 cm for males) and 133rd (157.1 cm for females).
The report stated that China and Korea showed the greatest improvement in average height over the past 35 years.
The country with the tallest average height for 19-year-old males and females was the Netherlands, with males averaging 183.8 cm and females 170.4 cm.
The difference between the tallest and shortest countries' average heights was 20 cm.
The report explained that "for males, this corresponds to a growth gap of about 6 years, and for females, about 8 years."
For example, the average height of 19-year-old male adolescents in Laos is 162.8 cm, which is similar to the average height of 13-year-old boys in the Netherlands.
The average height of 19-year-old female adolescents in Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste is 152 cm, comparable to the height of 11-year-old girls in the Netherlands.
The average height in sub-Saharan Africa has remained unchanged or decreased since 1985.
The report stated, "While genetics can play an important role in an individual child's height and weight, nutrition and the surrounding environment are key factors concerning the health of the overall population."
Dr. Andria Rodriguez Martinez, who led the study, explained, "Healthy weight and height during childhood and adolescence benefit an individual's well-being throughout their lifetime."
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