Genetics vs Lifestyle: Factors Affecting Height in Indians

Introduction Height has always been a subject of curiosity, especially in a diverse country like India where body types and features vary significantly across regions. While some individuals naturally grow taller, others remain shorter despite similar living conditions. This leads to the age-old debate: is height purely determined by genetics, or do lifestyle choices play an equally important role? Globally, researchers agree that both genetic inheritance and environmental factors shape human height. Genes set the potential range, but lifestyle factors such as nutrition, healthcare, exercise, and sleep determine how much of this potential is achieved. In India, where average height still lags behind many Western nations, this balance between nature and nurture becomes even more significant. This article takes a detailed look at how genetics and lifestyle affect height in Indians, while also exploring the latest statistics, regional variations, and future trends. Genetics: ...