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.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.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 condi...