Number of Tall People Increases Worldwide, but Decreases in Azerbaijan

According to the research by the British Essex University, growth rates are rising among Europeans. Professor Tim Hetton, who has studied the physical characteristics of people who lived in the period from 1870 to 1980, argues that for the century the average European’s tallness increased by 11 cm. The BBC explains these changes with the high standard of living in the European Union. The University studies show no indicators for women. This is explained with the fact that a hundred years ago, women's physical attributes were not registered.

Today, the average tallness of Europeans at the age of 21 is 179 cm. In Russia the dynamics of growth is also felt. According to the WHO data, in the 1960s in the Soviet Union the average tallness for men was 168 cm and for women - 157 cm. Now in Russia the average tallness for men is 176 cm and for women - 162 cm.

If people in developed countries become taller, in Azerbaijan on the contrary there is decrease. This is indicated by the State Statistics Committee figures for 2014 in terms of average population tallness.

The average tallness of the young Europeans is 179 cm, and for the Azerbaijanis it is 172 cm.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in 2014, the average tallness of the population over 15 years old was 168.2 cm; in men it averaged 171.9 cm and in women - 164.3 cm. In people aged 15-19 years the average tallness was 162 cm. This figure was 163.7 cm in men and 160.2 cm in women. The average tallness of the population aged 20-44 years is 168.9 cm; in men it is 172.5 cm and in women - 164.7 cm. At people aged 45-64 the rate is 168.9 cm and at people over 60 years old the average rate is 166.8 cm.

According to the chief pediatrician of Azerbaijan Nasib Guliyev, genetic factors play an important role in growth. According to him, a few years ago people observed acceleration, that is, the tendency of excessively high growth. Long-term studies have shown that the human conditions and economic conditions of residence in the country are reflected in the growth of people. Currently in Azerbaijan growth deficit is observed in infants. The lack of growth in infants is to a greater extent due to the conditions of life and diseases.

Among the factors positively influencing growth scientists indicate nutrition, socio-sanitary conditions, the environmental situation, and the improvement of health services. The pediatrician says that to stimulate growth, a variety of sports and food rich in proteins are required. At those who eat protein-rich beef, chicken and fish growth is higher than that of those who do not consume protein. In Azerbaijan, the use of beef and mutton per capita is below normal.

According to the WHO defined standards, one person should consume 80 kg of meat annually. The expert on agriculture Vahid Maharramov in an interview with Turan said that Azerbaijan produces 27 kg of meat per person. Together with imports this makes 34 kg. This includes 34 kg of beef, chicken, mutton, poultry and others.

WHO has defined that consumption of fish should be 21 kg. The Azerbaijanis eat fish three times lower than the norm, which is 7 kg. This deficiency in the diet affects the tallness and weight of growing children. This leads to poor memory, the pediatrician says. -0-