The Claim
Neolithic agricultural populations in western Eurasia were only modestly shorter than preceding Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, indicating that the transition to farming did not cause a systematic decline in human stature.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
People who started farming in western Eurasia during the Neolithic period were only slightly shorter than the hunter-gatherers who came before them, showing that switching to agriculture did not lead to a consistent reduction in human height.
See the scientific wording
Neolithic agricultural populations in western Eurasia were only modestly shorter than preceding Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, challenging the long-held view that the transition to farming caused a systematic decline in human stature.
People who can digest milk as adults get more calories and nutrients from dairy, which helps their bones grow longer during childhood, making them taller as adults.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Effects of ancestry, agriculture, and lactase persistence on the stature of prehistoric Europeans
Scientists found that early farmers in ancient Europe weren’t much shorter than the hunter-gatherers who came before them, and the small difference was partly due to genetics, not just worse food or health from farming. So, farming didn’t make people much shorter like people used to think.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.