Distributional change of women’s adult height in low- and middle-income countries over the past half century: An observational study using cross-sectional survey data

摘要

BackgroundAdult height reflects childhood circumstances and is associated with health, longevity, and maternal–fetal outcomes. Mean height is an important population metric, and declines in height have occurred in several low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa, over the last several decades. This study examines changes at the population level in the distribution of height over time across a broad range of low- and middle-income countries during the past half century.