Why do American men seem a bit small/shorter compared to Northern Europeans?

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone! I’ve been making a few cultural and physical observations lately, and there’s one thing that keeps popping into my mind.
When you think of the global stereotype, people always say "everything is bigger in America." But looking at the actual average physique, it feels like American men often seem a bit smaller, shorter, or less broad compared to guys from Northern European or Arctic regions (like Greenland or Scandinavia).
Is this just because America has such a massive, diverse mix of backgrounds and genetics from all over the world, or does it have something to do with the lifestyle and diet?
Girls, have you noticed this when traveling? And guys, what’s your take on this? No offense intended, just genuinely curious about the genetic differences!

Updates

1 mo

🍌

[jennifer_bloom]

I am just going to guess that the presence of mountains, the agricultural history of sheep farming, the high exposure to dairy through traditional farming diets, and the combination of very cold winters and very hot summers, might lead to height that is taller in Europe than America. I believe there are fewer high elevation mountain ranges in America, less dairy centric diets, less European ancestry, and less agrarian lifestyle culture in America. And America is more genetically diverse which means short people who ate fish dominant diets are more likely to populate the height surveys, leading to a lower median height range for American men. Height is based on lifestyle and not just genes. A Stanford study in the 1940s documented how Japanese men raised in America were 6 inches taller than Japanese men raised in Japan.

[Asker]

Wow, this is an incredibly detailed and well-thought-out analysis! I love the historical and geographical perspective you brought here. That Stanford study about Japanese men is such a fascinating point—it really shows how much lifestyle and environment can change physical development over generations. Thanks for sharing this!

[Kelly6]

Too much fast food.

[Asker]

And I think their 'equipment' is small too.

[Lliam]

The top nationalities in the world by average male height include:
Netherlands: Average male height is 6 feet (183.8 cm).
Montenegro: Average male height is 6 feet (183.3 cm).
Estonia: Average male height is 6 feet (182.8 cm).
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Average male height is 5 feet 11.9 inches (182.5 cm).
Iceland: Average male height is 5 feet 11.7 inches (182.1 cm).

The average height of an adult male in America is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (about 175.3 cm).
The average height of an adult male in the UK is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175.3 cm).

Again, all of these heights are averages. I, myself, am 6'2". I am 4th generation American but am mostly of Irish heritage.

I guess height differences are mostly due to natural selection but partially diet.

[BadApple69]

Vikings are awesome! And yes their gene pool is more pure than Americans. I’m 6’2” 220 pounds. But the mother of my daughter is 5’ 2” Asian girl. My daughter won’t be as tall as I.

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about height or something else?

[Asker]

("🍌")

[FreyaRed]

I guess the second US guy is tallest guy in US MP unit. XD

[Asker]

Hahahaha I appreciate your effort to appear strong.

[FreyaRed]

It's not about strength it's about body high.

[indissoluble]

The average height of a male from Greenland is 5'8" and the average height of a male from the USA is 5'10"... Hit the books...

[Just_Ken]

Its actually around the east coast I've seen. The bible belt has all those tall corn fed guys.

[strateguy632]

because more came from germany and Ireland than from sweden.

[canamlusciouslad73]

Crappy diet, but at 5'8",200 pounds with 17-inch arms and 73 (today), I'm a golden cover boy !!!

[Asker]

Haha love the confidence! But you might need to work a little harder to become the ultimate golden cover boy.

[canamlusciouslad73]

I'd need to be in my 80's to be the ultimate golden cover boy.

[DonaldDarko]

That should be right. Nordic people are known to be taller and bigger than most.

[noohair]

Northern Europe is isolated so the genes for tall are not diluted like they would be in the US.

[In_Trance]

According to the interweb, there's a 1 in average height difference.

[Anonymous]

Fake pink alert.

[Asker]

I'm reporting your account, see you later.

[Iron_Man]

I’m from America. I’m tall

[msc545]

Bad food and bad genes.

[jahaims]

Google is free