Has anyone noticed the Americans in Iraq

[no1_vern]

Are SO much taller than the people over there??

Almost all the news shows that show an Iraqi and an American(usually a Marine) standing together, the American is so much taller - seeming to tower over the Iraqi. It seems they are usually 10 or so inches taller.

Are the Iraqis so much shorter than us because of their diet or genetics?

Vern

[osprey4]

I'm 6' tall and most marines I know make me look small. And I'm glad they're marines!!

Semper Fi!

[muno]

Ever heard of racial distinctions?
-M

[daveleau]

Provided there is a difference, I have always been led to believe it is diet. Arabs in the US do not appear to be shorter than other Americans. If it were genetics, we should see a marked difference even in the US.

I agree with Dave. I had a Chinese friend that was about 6' I asked him about it. He said it was diet. His parents and grandparents were short. He says the American diet makes the difference. Or abundance of it anyway.

How come I'm only 5' 6" and I eat all the junk stuff here?

[Chuckiechan]

They spend thier childhood standing up rather than sitting in front of a TV so that gravity affects growth in the prone position less.

Plus Flintstone vitamins and hamburgers!

IMO

Originally posted by shahani
How come I'm only 5' 6" and I eat all the junk stuff here?

If you hadn't you'd only be 5'2......

That's a comforting thought.

[muno]

Diet might have something to do with that, but there are genetical differences also. Or do you argue the afro-americans, caucasians and (I don't know what to call indians but indians) indians look the same? I'm pretty sure they eat the same food.

There are noticeable differences.
-M