Why Were Sardinians the Shortest Europeans? A Journey Through Genes, Infections, Nutrition, and Sex
January 2017
in “
American Journal of Biological Anthropology
”
TLDR Sardinians were historically short due to a mix of genetics and factors like disease and poor nutrition, but recent height increases suggest better living conditions had a bigger impact.
The document examines the historically short stature of Sardinians, attributing it to a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Genetic variants, such as those related to beta-thalassemia major and lactase persistence, have been identified but do not fully explain the height variation. Epigenetic changes due to extreme conditions, autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease, infectious diseases including malaria, and nutritional deficiencies in animal proteins and iodine have all been proposed as contributing factors. Additionally, social influences like improved income and literacy post-World War II, and the eradication of malaria, have led to a rapid increase in stature, suggesting that Sardinians did not reach their genetic height potential in the past due to various constraints. The document concludes that while genetics played a role, the significant stature increase in recent generations points to the greater impact of improved living conditions and nutrition.
