On 2015 May 22, thomas samaras commented:

Many conflicting studies exist that show shorter people have low coronary heart disease (CHD). Two review papers summarizing findings showing shorter people have less CHD than taller populations are cited below. For example, populations of short people (less than 5'5")that have virtually no CHD include the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kalahari Bushmen, Congo Pygmies, and Kitavans. However, with Westernization, some are growing taller and heavier and seeing increases in CHD. Over the last few decades, the Japanese have held the top or third from top ranking for having the lowest CHD in the world.

Women are shorter than men and have lower life-long mortality from CHD. The argument that smaller blood vessels contribute to CHD doesn't seem to apply to women.

The World Cancer Research Fund (2007) has attributed our increased height, weight and chronic disease (including CHD)to our Western diet. They reported that today's chronic diseases are a relatively new occurrence. Trowell also reported that pre-Western people are generally free of Western chronic diseases, including CHD. Burkitt evaluated the medical records from almost 1000 hospitals in the non-developed world and found Western diseases (including CHD) were rare.

The Laron dwarfs in Ecuador have been studied for over 20 years and were found to have no deaths from cancer and diabetes. They also have normal atherosclerosis in spite of being overweight and obese. About 70% of their deaths are from non-age related causes: alcoholism, infections, accidents and neurological disorders.

It is hard to believe that shorter height per se is related to CHD since many studies show that shorter people live longer. These studies include populations in San Diego, Hawaii, Ohio, Spain, Sardinia, and Okinawa. See longevity studies cited below.

Sources

Samaras TT, Elrick H, Storms LH. Is short height really a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke mortality? A review. Medical Science Monitor 2004;10:RA63-76.

Samaras TT. Shorter height is related to lower cardiovascular disease risk--a Narrative Review. Indian Heart Journal. 2013; 65: 66-71.

He Q, Morris BJ, Grove JS, et al. Shorter men live longer: Association of height with longevity and FOXO3 genotype in American men of Japanese ancestry. PLOS ONE; 2014:9: 1-8.

Samaras TT. Evidence from eight different types of studies showing that smaller body size is related to greater longevity. Journal of Scientific Research & Reports. 2014;3(16):2150-2160

Salaris L, Poulain, Samaras. Height and survival at older ages among males born in an in-land village in Sardinia. Biodemography and Social Biology. 2012: 58(1): 1-13.

Bartke A. Healthy aging: Is smaller better?--A mini-review. Gerontology.2012; 58:337-43.

On 2015 Apr 15, thomas samaras commented:

None

On 2015 Apr 15, thomas samaras commented:

None

On 2015 May 22, thomas samaras commented:

Many conflicting studies exist that show shorter people have low coronary heart disease (CHD). Two review papers summarizing findings showing shorter people have less CHD than taller populations are cited below. For example, populations of short people (less than 5'5")that have virtually no CHD include the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kalahari Bushmen, Congo Pygmies, and Kitavans. However, with Westernization, some are growing taller and heavier and seeing increases in CHD. Over the last few decades, the Japanese have held the top or third from top ranking for having the lowest CHD in the world.

Women are shorter than men and have lower life-long mortality from CHD. The argument that smaller blood vessels contribute to CHD doesn't seem to apply to women.

The World Cancer Research Fund (2007) has attributed our increased height, weight and chronic disease (including CHD)to our Western diet. They reported that today's chronic diseases are a relatively new occurrence. Trowell also reported that pre-Western people are generally free of Western chronic diseases, including CHD. Burkitt evaluated the medical records from almost 1000 hospitals in the non-developed world and found Western diseases (including CHD) were rare.

The Laron dwarfs in Ecuador have been studied for over 20 years and were found to have no deaths from cancer and diabetes. They also have normal atherosclerosis in spite of being overweight and obese. About 70% of their deaths are from non-age related causes: alcoholism, infections, accidents and neurological disorders.

It is hard to believe that shorter height per se is related to CHD since many studies show that shorter people live longer. These studies include populations in San Diego, Hawaii, Ohio, Spain, Sardinia, and Okinawa. See longevity studies cited below.

Sources

Samaras TT, Elrick H, Storms LH. Is short height really a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke mortality? A review. Medical Science Monitor 2004;10:RA63-76.

Samaras TT. Shorter height is related to lower cardiovascular disease risk--a Narrative Review. Indian Heart Journal. 2013; 65: 66-71.

He Q, Morris BJ, Grove JS, et al. Shorter men live longer: Association of height with longevity and FOXO3 genotype in American men of Japanese ancestry. PLOS ONE; 2014:9: 1-8.

Samaras TT. Evidence from eight different types of studies showing that smaller body size is related to greater longevity. Journal of Scientific Research & Reports. 2014;3(16):2150-2160

Salaris L, Poulain, Samaras. Height and survival at older ages among males born in an in-land village in Sardinia. Biodemography and Social Biology. 2012: 58(1): 1-13.

Bartke A. Healthy aging: Is smaller better?--A mini-review. Gerontology.2012; 58:337-43.