Scientists unravel the mystery of the height difference between men and women.
Recent scientific research has moved closer to explaining the global phenomenon of height differences between the sexes.
On average, men are about 13 cm taller than women, a biological characteristic that scientists have been studying for decades to understand the underlying causes.
According to modern research, genetic factors account for up to 80% of the differences in height between individuals. Height is determined as a polygenic trait, meaning that thousands of genes throughout the human genome influence this trait.
The complexity of height genetics is demonstrated by the fact that many different genes work together, each contributing a small part to the overall result. This explains why human height varies so greatly and why accurately predicting height from genetic information remains a challenge.
One of the most notable findings was the identification of the SHOX gene, located on both the X and Y chromosomes. Scientists estimate that this gene contributes approximately 25% to the difference in average height between men and women.
Genetic variants affecting the function of SHOX can lead to shorter-than-normal height. This highlights the importance of this gene in regulating height development, particularly the differences between the sexes.
A recent large-scale study analyzed over 900,000 individuals to investigate the relationship between the number of sex chromosomes and height. The results showed that the number of Y chromosomes had a greater influence on height than the number of X chromosomes.
The discovery that the Y chromosome has a stronger influence on height is a significant step forward in understanding sex biology. This suggests that genes located on the Y chromosome not only determine sex but also play an active role in promoting height growth.
This finding also helps explain why men, possessing the Y chromosome, are generally taller than women. However, scientists are still continuing their research to better understand the specific mechanisms by which the Y chromosome impacts height development.
Besides genetic factors, hormones also play a significant role in creating height differences between the sexes. The complex interaction between genes and hormones creates a sophisticated regulatory system that influences development from fetal stage to adulthood.
Sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen not only influence secondary sexual characteristics but also affect the rate and duration of height growth. This explains why men typically experience a longer period of height growth compared to women.
Although the average height difference of 13 cm between men and women is a global phenomenon, this figure can vary by ethnicity and geographical region. Factors such as nutrition, living conditions, and ethnic genetics can all influence the extent of this difference.
Scientists are continuing to conduct further research to elucidate the precise mechanisms behind sex-linked height differences. Advanced gene sequencing technology and big data methodologies are opening up new opportunities to better understand this complex relationship.
