How South Koreans got so much taller

Summary

This video explores the dramatic increase in human height over the past century, particularly focusing on South Korea's remarkable growth. It contrasts the heights of women from various countries in 1900 with those of today, highlighting the influence of genetics and environmental factors like nutrition and healthcare. The video also examines how South Korea's economic boom post-1960s led to significant improvements in living standards and child health, contributing to its citizens' increased stature. The stark difference in height between North and South Korea since their division further illustrates the impact of socio-economic conditions on physical development.

Takeaways

• 📊 Height data is often analyzed by gender, with the script focusing on women's height.
• 🌍 The average height of women varied significantly by country 100 years ago.
• 🇰🇷 South Korean women had an average height of 142 cm (4'7") at the beginning of the 1900s.
• 🇺🇸 In comparison, the average American woman was 159 cm (5'2") during the same period.
• 📈 Over the past century, there has been a notable increase in human height globally.
• 🌐 European and North American countries experienced the most growth in height.
• 🌱 African countries saw the least growth, while Asian countries were mostly in the middle.
• 🔝 South Korea was an outlier, with women growing nearly 8 inches (20 cm) in the last century.
• 🧬 Genetics play a significant role in height, accounting for about 80% of the difference.
• 🌿 Environmental factors such as nutrition, sanitation, and overall quality of life also impact height.
• 🇰🇵 The division of Korea and subsequent economic and health disparities have led to a significant height gap between North and South Korea.

Q & A

What was the average height of a South Korean woman born at the beginning of the 1900s?

The average height was 142 centimeters or 4'7".

How does the average height of a woman in the United States compare to that of South Korea at the beginning of the 1900s?

The average American woman was 159 centimeters or 5'2", which is significantly taller than the average South Korean woman at that time.

What was a notable observation regarding the growth of human height over the last century?

Humans have grown significantly over the last century, with many European and North American countries showing the most growth.

Why did South Korea experience such a dramatic increase in height over the last century?

South Korea's rapid economic growth, improvements in nutrition, sanitation, medicine, and overall quality of life contributed to the dramatic increase in height.

What was the role of genetics in determining human height according to the 2006 study mentioned in the script?

The study found that about 80% of the difference in sibling height is genetic, while the remaining 20% is influenced by external factors.

How did childhood living conditions affect height according to the study on English and Welsh boys?

The study found that factors such as living in a white collar household, crowded homes, and industrial areas significantly affected height, with better nutrition and less exposure to disease and pollution leading to taller heights.

What changes in South Korea led to an increase in height among its population?

Economic growth, a shift from producing low-value goods to high-value consumer electronics and cars, improvements in nutrition, and a decrease in infant mortality rates contributed to the increase in height.

How did the division of North and South Korea affect the height of their populations?

The division led to a significant difference in height between the two populations, with South Koreans growing taller due to better living conditions and economic growth, while North Koreans remained shorter due to famine and isolation.

What was the height gap between South Koreans and North Koreans in the 1930s?

In the 1930s, there was no significant height gap between South Koreans and North Koreans as they were one country.

How has the height of South Koreans changed over generations as mentioned in the script?

The height of South Koreans has increased over generations, with each subsequent generation being taller than the previous one.

What factors contribute to height according to the script?

Height is influenced by both genetics and external factors such as nutrition, sanitation, medicine, and overall quality of life.