Connecting nutrition poverty and educating kids.

[heidler1]

The Dutch are the world's tallest people
By ARTHUR MAX, Associated Press Writer Fri Seep 15, 5:25 PM ET

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Most of us are taller than our parents, who probably are taller than their parents. But in the Netherlands, the generational progression has reached new heights.

In the last 150 years, the Dutch have become the tallest people on Earth — and experts say they're still getting bigger. It is a tale of a nation's health and wealth.

Prosperity propelled the collective growth spurt that began in the mid-1800s and was only interrupted during the harsh years of the Nazi occupation in the 1940s — when average heights actually declined.

With their protein-rich diet and a national health service that pampers infants, the Dutch are standing taller than ever. The average Dutchman stands just over 6 feet, while women average nearly 5-foot-7.

For complete story http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060915/ap_on_re_eu/netherlands_tallest_people_2

The connection I'm trying to make is that poverty in the U.S. and I am sure everywhere is recognized as the main fixable cause of poor student performance. Poor nutrition permanently stunts human mental development as well as physical growth. The U.S. is sixth after Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic and Norway. Germany is seventh in being tallest. The implication is that learning probably matches this pretty close. Yes there are genetic implications as pointed out in the article about Pygmies. IMO the people in the U.S. are mostly a blend of these very same countries in the U.S. tallness factor, but are not keeping up. Therefore our nutrition isn't either. The leading countries in the tallness factor are also leaders in social welfare. I believe that I was lucky even though I grew up during the great depression my Father always managed to put meat on the table regularly. Harold Heidler

http://www.pureparents.org/files/advocacy/2003030101.pdf#search=%22poverty%20education%22

[China_cat]

1. That's going to blow the claim by a lot of

right wing religious nuts that people get taller as they get closer to god.

Abortion on demand, free condoms, universal heath care, gay rights...all the things that are supposed to get you nuked from orbit. And the Dutch continue to grow.