Growing evidence that we’re getting taller

The research also shows that while the Scots used to be taller than the English 200 years ago, they are now shorter.

Professor Bernard Harris, from the University of Southampton, is one of the authors of the study which has examined links between nutrition and economic development with height.

He said: “Our work shows that there have been dramatic changes in child health, as reflected in achieved adult height, over the last 100 years and other researchers have highlighted the existence of close links between improvements in child health and health in later life.”

The research found that 200 years ago there were substantial differences in height between working-class and upper-class people.