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There is significant evidence that a positive secular trend, apparently due to improved socioeconomic conditions, has led to taller stature today compared with 150-200 years ago. However, study of fossil remains of our hominid ancestors demonstrates the stature of individuals living during the last million years reached the range of heights seen today. Furthermore, data from recent prehistory and the last 2,000 years also reveal adult height in many groups to be equal to modern humans of the same region. Optimal conditions for growth appear to predate the advent of modern civilization and public health measures.
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Styne et al. (2008) studied this question.
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