According to the authors of the study, based at Imperial College in London, genetics are not the sole factor in determining height variation among different nations, as Majid Ezzati, lead scientist of the project explained: "Genes don't change that fast and they don't vary that much across the world. So changes over time and variations across the world are largely environmental." Of critical importance were sanitation, healthcare and nutrition, he said, as well as the mother's health and diet during pregnancy.

Other surprising findings, relating to how height impacts on people's health and income, have been revealed. For example, tall people can expect enhanced longevity and they are less likely to suffer from heart disease. Tall people are also likely to earn more! According to research by Exeter University, a British man who is 7.5 cm shorter than his counterpart will earn £1,500 less!It might be time to invest in a pair of shoes with heels!

词汇表 to measure 测量

trend 趋势，趋向

to shoot up 迅速长高

respectively 分别地

growth 生长

to sink 降低

ranking 排名

gain 增长，提高

genetics 遗传学

sole 唯一的，单独的

to determine 决定

height variation 身高的变化

critical 关键性的

sanitation 卫生设备

healthcare 医疗保健

【Topping the charts 高居榜首】相关文章：

★ Off the hook 脱身

★ Fan the flames 煽风点火

★ The city of the future 城市的未来

★ A slap in the face 一记耳光

★ Reinvent the wheel 浪费时间做无用功

★ Pain in the neck 令人讨厌的事情或人

★ To fall at the first hurdle 跌倒在第一关

★ Mobiles at the movies 在电影院里玩手机

★ To be fair 说句公道话

★ Improving your vocabulary 增加词汇量