The impact of physical connectedness on body height in Swiss conscripts

Bibliographic Data

ID3778441
AuthorsMichael Hermanussen (0000-0003-4037-1597, Altai State Agricultural University), Christoph Alt (University of Potsdam), Kaspar Staub (0000-0002-3951-1807, University of Zurich), Christian Aßmann (0000-0002-4827-3150, University of Bamberg), Detlef Groth (0000-0002-9441-3978, University of Potsdam)
Year2014
Volume71
Issue4
Pages313-327
Publication date2014-11-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropologischer Anzeiger (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-5548 • E-ISSN: 2363-7099
PublisherS ch we iz er ba rt (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1127/0003-5548/2014/0466
PMID25774949
OpenAlexW2475068252
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited5

BACKGROUND: Human populations differ in height. Recent evidence suggests that social networks play an important role in the regulation of adolescent growth and adult height. We further investigated the effect of physical connectedness on height. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We considered Switzerland as a geographic network with 169 nodes (district capitals) and 335 edges (connecting roads) and studied effects of connectedness on height in Swiss conscript from 1884 - 1891, 1908 - 1910, and 2004 - 2009. We also created exponential-family random graph models to separate possible unspecific effects of geographic vicinity. RESULTS: In 1884 - 1891, in 1908 - 1910, and in 2004 - 2009, 1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) order neighboring districts significantly correlate in height (p < 0.01). The correlations depend on the order of connectedness, they decline with increasing distance. Short stature districts tend to have short, tall stature districts tend to have tall neighbors. Random network analyses suggest direct road effects on height. Whereas in 1884 - 1891, direct road effects were only visible between 1(st) order neighbors, direct road effects extended to 2(nd) and 3(rd) in 1908 - 1910, and in 2004 - 2009, also to 4(th) order neighbors, and might reflect historic improvements in transportation. The spatial correlations did not significantly change when height was controlled for goiter (1884 - 1889) and for median per capita income (2006), suggesting direct road effects also in goiter-allowed-for height and income-allowed-for height. CONCLUSION: Height in a district depends on height of physically connected neighboring districts. The association decreases with increasing distance in the net. The present data suggest that people can be short because their neighbors are short; or tall because their neighbors are tall (community effect on growth). Psycho-biological effects seem to control growth and development within communities that go far beyond our current understanding of growth regulation.

Body height · Body weight · Geography · Social connectedness · Sociology · Spillover effect · Complex Network Analysis Techniques · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychology · Social Psychology

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