Vertically challenged? 4 health benefits of being short

Short kings, rejoice: Your height may come with a hidden advantage.

Being tall has its perks, from reaching the top shelf to seeing over crowds, and studies show that people with a few extra inches often report higher confidence and self-esteem.

But a growing body of research suggests that people of smaller stature may enjoy surprising health benefits — and it could even help them live longer.

That’s welcome news for Americans, who have been getting shorter since the 1980s.

Once one of the tallest nations on Earth, the average US man now stands about 5 feet 9 inches, while women average roughly 5 feet 3.5 inches, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Trailing those numbers? Don’t sweat it. Here are four reasons your smaller frame could be secretly working in your favor.

#1: Lower cancer risk

In a 2014 Swedish study of over five million people, every 10 centimeters of height seemed to raise the risk of cancer by 18% in women and 11% in men.

Taller women specifically appeared to face a 20% higher risk of breast cancer, while the risk of melanoma increased by about 30% per 10 centimeters in both men and women.

An analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund also reported taller people may be more likely to develop cancers of the kidneys, ovaries, pancreas, colon and prostate.

But it’s not just the likelihood of getting cancer that appears to rise with height.

A 2016 study of American men and women found that each increase in height corresponded with a 7.1% higher risk of dying from cancer for men and a 5.7% higher risk for women.

Researchers are still investigating why taller people may be more vulnerable, but one theory points to the combination of more cells and higher levels of growth hormones, which could increase the chance of cell mutations that fuel cancer development.

#2: Less likely to get a blood clot

In another win for short people, a 2017 study of more than two million siblings found that taller individuals may face a higher risk of developing dangerous blood clots in their veins, a condition known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Men shorter than 5 feet 3 inches had a 65% lower risk of blood clots compared with men 6 feet 2 inches or taller. Among women, those under 5 feet 1 inch had up to a 69% lower risk than women who are 6 feet or taller.

Researchers believe the link comes from leg length. Longer legs mean longer blood vessels, which can slow blood flow back to the heart — a factor that may increases clot risk.

“We hope that height will come to be included in risk assessments for VTE,” Dr. Bengt Zöller, lead author of the study, said in a press release, noting that more research is needed to confirm a definitive link.

#3: Less likely to break a hip

For older adults, a broken hip can sometimes be more deadly than cancer — but short people may have an advantage here as well.

A 2016 meta-analysis of seven studies found a potential link between greater height and an increased risk of hip fractures.

Researchers offered several explanations, including that taller people have a higher center of gravity than their shorter peers. This makes them more prone to falls and means they may hit the ground with more energy when falling.”

#4: More likely to live longer

On average, shorter people live two to five years longer than their taller peers.

Part of the reason may lie in specific genes passed down through families.

A 2014 study of American men of Japanese ancestry found that shorter men were more likely to carry a protective form of the longevity gene, FOXO3.

“We split people into two groups — those 5-foot-2 and shorter, and 5-foot-4 and taller,” Dr. Bradley Willcox, one of the study’s investigators, said in a press release. “The folks 5-2 and shorter lived the longest … The taller you got, the shorter you lived.”

Another study found that smaller, shorter bodies generally experience longer average lifespans and fewer diet-related chronic diseases, especially after middle age.

While being short may offer some health advantages, experts emphasize that there’s still much to learn about the link between height and longevity.

And tall people, don’t fret. Research shows that lifestyle choices — like eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy body weight — can have a major impact on lifespan, no matter your height.