A new study published in the journal PLOS Genetics has found a new link between tall stature and an increased risk of nerve damage leading to peripheral neuropathy, as well as skin and bone infections such as foot and leg ulcers.
But just because you're tall doesn't mean you're destined to develop one of these diseases, says lead researcher Dr. Sridharan Raghavan, an associate professor at the University of Colorado.
According to him, the new study is a kind of catalog of diseases that may be associated with growth.
According to the scientist, most diseases occur due to a combination of a number of factors. And while people can't change their genetics, many studies have shown that healthy behaviors that people can control and change can protect them.
For the study, Raghavan's team collected data from more than 250,000 participants in the US Veterans Administration's Million Veterans Program, looking at more than 1,000 signs and illnesses among them.
Raghavan noted that growth and metabolism associated with growth are associated with many aspects of health.
Other links may be due to biological processes associated with both growth and physiology, the scientist noted.
Professor Todd Lenz of the Behavioral Science Institute at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset analyzed the results of the study and concluded that while the impact of height on the development of medical disease may seem significant for the entire population, Lenz noted that at an individual level the risk is small and can often be compensated. healthy lifestyle.
Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter