Why are kids growing shorter and fatter?
Back to the pre-industrial age? FAOSTAT statistics of food supply reveal radical dietary changes accompanied by declining body height, rising obesity rates, and declining phenotypic IQ in affluent Western countries
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A long time ago, people ate more meat and dairy and less sugar and white bread. Now, many kids eat more sugar and grains and less meat. This might be why they’re not growing as tall, getting fatter, and maybe even thinking a little less clearly.
Surprising Findings
Height stopped rising—and started falling—in wealthy countries despite abundant food.
Most assume economic growth = better nutrition = taller people, but this shows dietary *quality*, not quantity, is the bottleneck.
Practical Takeaways
Prioritize high-quality animal proteins (dairy, eggs, pork, eggs) over refined carbs in children’s meals—swap sugary cereal for eggs and cheese, or whole milk over plant-based milks.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A long time ago, people ate more meat and dairy and less sugar and white bread. Now, many kids eat more sugar and grains and less meat. This might be why they’re not growing as tall, getting fatter, and maybe even thinking a little less clearly.
Surprising Findings
Height stopped rising—and started falling—in wealthy countries despite abundant food.
Most assume economic growth = better nutrition = taller people, but this shows dietary *quality*, not quantity, is the bottleneck.
Practical Takeaways
Prioritize high-quality animal proteins (dairy, eggs, pork, eggs) over refined carbs in children’s meals—swap sugary cereal for eggs and cheese, or whole milk over plant-based milks.
Publication
Journal
Annals of Medicine
Year
2025
Authors
P. Grasgruber
Related Content
Claims (7)
Diets eaten by humans before industrialization provided more protein for each calorie consumed than the diets commonly eaten today.
In affluent Western countries, a shift away from animal proteins like dairy and pork toward more cereals and sugary carbohydrates coincides with a slowdown in the historical increase of adult male height, indicating that nutritional changes during childhood and adolescence may be affecting growth.
In countries where people consume more animal protein from dairy and pork relative to cereal proteins, average male height tends to be taller. This pattern is observed across 136 populations.
People in Western countries who eat more high-glycemic carbohydrates like sugar, sweeteners, potatoes, and refined grains have a higher rate of developing type 2 diabetes, with the strongest link appearing 6 to 9 years after increased consumption.
In Denmark and Norway, decreases in average IQ scores over time have been linked to lower quality of dietary protein consumed 7 to 11 years earlier, suggesting that nutrition during early childhood may affect cognitive outcomes later in life.