How humans have changed in height in the last 100 years

By Madison Park, CNN

Updated 1028 GMT (1828 HKT) July 26, 2016

This map shows the distribution of the world's height, according to research published in eLife.
This map shows the distribution of the world's height, according to research published in eLife.

Story highlights

  • Human height has changed unevenly through last century, research finds
  • Simple height measurement can indicate several things about human health

(CNN)On average, we're taller than our predecessors thanks to better nutrition and health, according to new research released Tuesday .

But those gains vary vastly by country.
    "Over the past century adult height has changed substantially and unevenly in the world's countries, according to research published in the journal eLife.