The effects of mortality, subsistence, and ecology on human adult height and implications

Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 53 • Published In • Pages: S359-S368 •
By Migliano, Andrea Bamberg, Guillon, Myrtille

Abstract

By better understanding the factors influencing adult height in modern populations, the authors hope to generate a testable hypothesis to determine the factors affecting body size during hominin evolution. The authors employ an exploratory linear regression model to test the effects of mortality, environment, and subsistence strategy on adult height among traditional small scale human societies. They found that mortality rates were the most significant predictor of adult height and that people living in savanna environments are consistently taller.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
OtherCombinationComparative Human Life History Spreadsheet was used along with other ethnographic data

Hypotheses (1)

HypothesisSupported
A model including environmental setting and mortality rates will be significant in predicting adult height (p. S360).Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Megan Farrer  Amelia Piazza  Carol Ember