4 ms·

Not so fun fact, taller people live shorter lives, with approximately 1 inch = 1 year.

wwarner 2y ago
ok, but i'd wager brain cancer (the cause of death in this case) lacks this correlation. And yes RIP, Mutombo seemed like an exceptional person.
- WithinReason 2y ago
  actually there is a correlation between height and cancer
- resizeitplz 2y ago
  All other factors being equal: Taller person = more cells = more cell divisions = more chances for cell mutation = increased risk of (any) cancer. (credit/source: Hank Green and possibly SciShow on YouTube)
  - wwarner 2y ago
    I love being wrong! Luckily I wagered $0.00.
- luplex 2y ago
  Taller people usually have bigger heads and, I think, bigger brains. This doesn't mean they are more intelligent.
naveen99 2y ago
Apparently this is enough to explain the difference in men and women longevity.
- xiande04 2y ago
  Do the numbers really add up statistically speaking? That is, the average height difference between women and men is exactly equal to the longevity difference you'd expect from the height difference? If so, I wonder where the protective effects of estrogen and less risky behavior fit in?
  - naveen99 2y ago
    the numbers do seem to check out... Average difference is about 5 years and 5 inches between men and women.
xiande04 2y ago
Yes, that's an interesting and somewhat counterintuitive fact. Research has shown a correlation between height and lifespan, with taller people generally having shorter lifespans. One possible explanation is that taller individuals tend to have more cells, which may increase the risk of mutations and, consequently, diseases like cancer. Additionally, taller bodies require more energy, leading to greater metabolic demands that could contribute to aging.
racl101 2y ago
Makes sense. Danny DeVito is almost 80 and still making great television comedy. But on a serious note, I'm a 5 foot 2 inch guy myself, only good thing I can say about it, is being almost 50 and not having a ton of back issues. The rest of it, not so fun, but not a tragedy either.

ok, but i'd wager brain cancer (the cause of death in this case) lacks this correlation. And yes RIP, Mutombo seemed like an exceptional person.

WithinReason 2y ago
actually there is a correlation between height and cancer
resizeitplz 2y ago
All other factors being equal: Taller person = more cells = more cell divisions = more chances for cell mutation = increased risk of (any) cancer. (credit/source: Hank Green and possibly SciShow on YouTube)
- wwarner 2y ago
  I love being wrong! Luckily I wagered $0.00.
luplex 2y ago
Taller people usually have bigger heads and, I think, bigger brains. This doesn't mean they are more intelligent.

naveen99 2y ago

Apparently this is enough to explain the difference in men and women longevity.

xiande04 2y ago
Do the numbers really add up statistically speaking? That is, the average height difference between women and men is exactly equal to the longevity difference you'd expect from the height difference? If so, I wonder where the protective effects of estrogen and less risky behavior fit in?
- naveen99 2y ago
  the numbers do seem to check out... Average difference is about 5 years and 5 inches between men and women.

xiande04 2y ago

Yes, that's an interesting and somewhat counterintuitive fact. Research has shown a correlation between height and lifespan, with taller people generally having shorter lifespans. One possible explanation is that taller individuals tend to have more cells, which may increase the risk of mutations and, consequently, diseases like cancer. Additionally, taller bodies require more energy, leading to greater metabolic demands that could contribute to aging.

racl101 2y ago

Makes sense. Danny DeVito is almost 80 and still making great television comedy. But on a serious note, I'm a 5 foot 2 inch guy myself, only good thing I can say about it, is being almost 50 and not having a ton of back issues. The rest of it, not so fun, but not a tragedy either.