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Relative effect of genetic and environmental factors on body height: Differences across birth cohorts among finnish men and women

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  • Silventoinen, K.
  • Kaprio, J.
  • Lahelma, E.
  • Koskenvuo, M.

Abstract

Objectives. This study examined the change in heritability of adult body height across birth cohorts in Finland. Methods. In 1981, cross-sectional questionnaires were completed by 10 968 twin pairs born before 1958. The effect of genetic factors was estimated via genetic modeling. Results. Heritability increased from the cohort born before 1929 (0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.65, 0.88 in men; 0.66, 95% CI=0.55, 0.77 in women) to that born in 1947 through 1957 (0.81, 95% CI=0.73, 0.87 in men; 0.82. 95% CI = 0.75, 0.89 in women). Conclusions. Heritability of height increased across finnish birth cohorts born in the first half of this century and leveled off after World War II. Environmental factors, compared with genetic factors, appear to be more important among women than men.

Suggested Citation

  • Silventoinen, K. & Kaprio, J. & Lahelma, E. & Koskenvuo, M., 2000. "Relative effect of genetic and environmental factors on body height: Differences across birth cohorts among finnish men and women," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(4), pages 627-630.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2000:90:4:627-630_4
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    Cited by:

    1. Alberto Batinti & Joan Costa‐Font & Timothy J. Hatton, 2022. "Voting Up? The Effects of Democracy and Franchise Extension on Human Stature," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 89(353), pages 161-190, January.
    2. Olivier Bargain & Jinan Zeidan, 2017. "Stature, Skills and Adult Life Outcomes: Evidence from Indonesia," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(6), pages 873-890, June.
    3. Dora L. Costa, 2015. "Health and the Economy in the United States from 1750 to the Present," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 53(3), pages 503-570, September.
    4. Collishaw, Stephan & Goodman, Robert & Pickles, Andrew & Maughan, Barbara, 2007. "Modelling the contribution of changes in family life to time trends in adolescent conduct problems," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(12), pages 2576-2587, December.
    5. Joan Costa-Font & Lucia Kossarova, 2019. "Transitions that Matter? Czechoslovakia’s Break up and Human Stature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-13, December.
    6. Ruth McQuillan & Niina Eklund & Nicola Pirastu & Maris Kuningas & Brian P McEvoy & Tõnu Esko & Tanguy Corre & Gail Davies & Marika Kaakinen & Leo-Pekka Lyytikäinen & Kati Kristiansson & Aki S Havulinn, 2012. "Evidence of Inbreeding Depression on Human Height," PLOS Genetics, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(7), pages 1-14, July.
    7. Schultz, T. Paul, 2010. "Population and Health Policies," Handbook of Development Economics, in: Dani Rodrik & Mark Rosenzweig (ed.), Handbook of Development Economics, edition 1, volume 5, chapter 0, pages 4785-4881, Elsevier.
    8. Batinti, Alberto & Costa-Font, Joan, 2022. "Does democracy make taller men? Cross-country European evidence," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 113745, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    9. Timothy J. Hatton, 2015. "Stature and Sibship: Historical Evidence," CEH Discussion Papers 039, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    10. Bruna Galobardes & Valerie A McCormack & Peter McCarron & Laura D Howe & John Lynch & Debbie A Lawlor & George Davey Smith, 2012. "Social Inequalities in Height: Persisting Differences Today Depend upon Height of the Parents," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, January.
    11. Joan Costa-i-Font & Lucia Kossarova, 2015. "Anthropometric Dividends of Czechoslovakia’s Break Up," LEQS – LSE 'Europe in Question' Discussion Paper Series 95, European Institute, LSE.
    12. LaFave, Daniel & Thomas, Duncan, 2017. "Extended families and child well-being," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 52-65.
    13. Batinti, Alberto & Costa-Font, Joan, 2022. "Does democracy make taller men? Cross-country European evidence," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    14. Hoyt Bleakley & Dora Costa & Adriana Lleras-Muney, 2014. "Health, Education, and Income in the United States, 1820–2000," NBER Chapters, in: Human Capital in History: The American Record, pages 121-159, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    15. Costa-Font, Joan & Kossarova, Lucia, 2014. "Anthropometric dividends of Czechoslovakia’s break up," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 60719, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    16. McEvoy, Brian P. & Visscher, Peter M., 2009. "Genetics of human height," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 294-306, December.
    17. Bruckner, Tim A. & Catalano, Ralph A., 2009. "Infant mortality and diminished entelechy in three European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1617-1624, May.
    18. Joan Costa-i-Font & Lucia Kossarova, 2014. "Anthropometric Dividends of Czechoslovakia's Break Up," CESifo Working Paper Series 5081, CESifo.
    19. Perkins, Jessica M. & Khan, Kashif T. & Smith, George Davey & Subramanian, S.V., 2011. "Patterns and trends of adult height in India in 2005-2006," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 184-193, March.

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