Genetics, rare diseases, or a combination of both can result in tall individuals. One such individual was Robert Wadlow, the tallest person in history, who stood at 2.72 meters before his death at the age of 22 in 1940. Despite being significantly taller than the average height of men in the US, which is 1.75 meters, Wadlow’s height was attributed to a medical syndrome. Most cases of gigantism are caused by an excess of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain due to a benign tumor, as explained by Professor Márta Korbonits.
Advances in modern medicine have allowed doctors to address such medical conditions and prevent individuals from reaching extreme heights that can be detrimental to their health. However, genetic disorders such as Marfan syndrome can also lead to unusually tall individuals. Some people may naturally be tall without any underlying medical conditions due to a range of genetic variations that influence their height.
Research has uncovered instances of tall individuals throughout history, with some ancient populations having notably tall members. Genetic mutations and environmental factors such as diet play a significant role in determining an individual’s height. As civilizations have advanced, populations have generally grown taller over time due to improved nutrition and healthcare.
For example, during the final stage of the Gravettian culture around 29,000 years ago, some male remains were exceptionally tall compared to the average height of that time. These tall individuals were likely hunters who lived in areas with low population density and abundant large mammals. The physical features of these early Late Paleolithic hunters in places like France and Moravia were taller than those found in industrialized nations until much later due to better nutrition and healthcare standards.
In conclusion, studying the heights of individuals throughout history can provide insights into various factors that contribute to an individual’s stature, including genetics, medical conditions, and environmental factors such as diet and healthcare standards.