Angela
Elite member
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- Ethnic group
- Italian
We've discussed this before, but there doesn't seem to be a good answer. Undoubtedly, they must have some genes for height, but this distance from the rest of Europe is really recent, so it can't be attributed just to good nutrition in the Modern Era. The "growth spurt" really began in the 50's and accelerated in the 80's.
I know they consume a lot of dairy, but so do the Irish and they're not at all as tall. Was some additive put into the milk around that time, perhaps growth hormones in the feed given to the cattle? Or perhaps that's when they started adding calcium supplement to the milk. So many people believe incorrectly that milk naturally contains a lot of calcium. Or are the cattle a different breed perhaps?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-are-the-dutch-so-tall_b_5544085?guccounter=2
I never gave my children milk to drink. That wasn't only a cultural decision, although that was a big part of it. I also knew they put a lot of hormones in food for cows, and it was speculated that's why menarche began so early, among other reasons. They ate enough cheese that they weren't "deprived" of dairy. I didn't see any need to add to it.
I know they consume a lot of dairy, but so do the Irish and they're not at all as tall. Was some additive put into the milk around that time, perhaps growth hormones in the feed given to the cattle? Or perhaps that's when they started adding calcium supplement to the milk. So many people believe incorrectly that milk naturally contains a lot of calcium. Or are the cattle a different breed perhaps?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-are-the-dutch-so-tall_b_5544085?guccounter=2
I never gave my children milk to drink. That wasn't only a cultural decision, although that was a big part of it. I also knew they put a lot of hormones in food for cows, and it was speculated that's why menarche began so early, among other reasons. They ate enough cheese that they weren't "deprived" of dairy. I didn't see any need to add to it.