There are many factors that play a role in determining whether you will develop a certain disease. The body size should also have an influence.
Munich – Lifestyle, genetic predisposition and environmental influences can influence the risk of developing certain diseases. But body size can also be a factor and promote diseases such as diabetes or heart attacks. As the German press agency reported, people in Germany have grown over the last hundred years: German men measured an average of 1.67 meters in 1896, but almost 1.80 meters in 2021. For women, the figure climbed from 1.56 to 1.66 meters during this period. This difference in size can play a role in health.
Developing diabetes: what role does body size play in this?
Tall people are said to have a lower risk of developing diabetes. Norbert Stefan, professor for clinical-experimental diabetology at the University Hospital Tübingen, told the dpathat due to the genetic factors of body growth, less fat is stored in the liver and this is associated with better insulin sensitivity. Smaller people are more likely to get diabetes because they are less able to utilize glucose.
Karel Kostev, scientific director in epidemiological research at the contract research institute IQVIA, examined data from adult patients. The bottom line: For every ten centimeters you lose in height, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases by 15 percent in women and by 10 percent in men. Nevertheless, a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular diseases and thrombosis: The risk increases with a certain body size
At the Düsseldorf University Hospital, data from around 660,000 patients were evaluated, with the result that taller people have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Smaller people are supposed to be loud dpa more likely to get high blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke.
According to Professor Stefan from Tübingen, tall people have several advantages. He lists: “Fatty acids less, LDL cholesterol lower, glucose lower and hepatokines (liver proteins) cheaper.” Tall people therefore have a lower risk of heart attack. However, the risk of thrombosis increases in taller people: According to Professor Stefan, the fact that the blood has to be pumped to the heart longer should promote the development of thrombosis.
Cancer Risk: Body size and lifestyle affect health
According to the Düsseldorf University Hospital, there is also a connection with cancer: taller people are said to be more susceptible. The risk increases by 11 percent in women and by 6 percent in men for every ten centimeters of increase in height. Professor Stefan also sees eating habits as a factor, because excessive consumption of dairy products and meat is said to activate growth hormones. The connection to cancer then comes from the lifelong stronger cell growth. (eike/dpa)