Average Height of Adult American Men
The average height of an adult male in the United States is approximately 175.3 cm (5 feet 9 inches).
Evidence-Based Height Data
According to the most recent and comprehensive data available, American adult men have the following height characteristics:
- The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data shows that the average height for adult American men is 175.3 cm (5 feet 9 inches) 1
- This measurement represents the mean height across all adult men aged 20 and over in the United States
- The height data shows some variation by race and ethnicity:
Height Distribution and Trends
The height distribution among American men follows these patterns:
- Standard deviation is approximately 6.5 cm (2.6 inches) 2, meaning about 68% of men fall within this range of the average
- Height measurements have remained relatively stable in recent decades, with only minor fluctuations 1
- Socioeconomic factors influence height, with higher socioeconomic status associated with taller average height 2
- Geographic origin affects height, with men from Central and Northern Europe being the tallest on average, while those from South America and Asia tend to be shorter 2
Height and Health Considerations
Height has several important health implications:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations rely on accurate height measurements to assess weight status 3
- For men of average American height (5'9"), a healthy weight range would be approximately 125-168 pounds 3
- Taller height is associated with higher likelihood of rating one's health as "very good" 2
- However, some research suggests shorter, lighter men may have greater longevity than their taller, heavier counterparts 4
- After age 50, men lose approximately 0.11 cm per year in height 2
Clinical Relevance
Understanding average height is important for:
- Proper assessment of growth and development
- Accurate calculation of medication dosages that may be based on height or body surface area
- Appropriate interpretation of BMI and weight status
- Contextualizing individual patients within population norms
Common Pitfalls in Height Assessment
When considering height data, be aware of:
- Height measurements vary throughout the day (people are tallest in the morning)
- Self-reported heights tend to be overestimated compared to measured heights
- Height loss occurs naturally with aging, particularly after age 50
- Population averages may not apply to all ethnic groups or individuals
- Height should be measured without shoes for accurate assessment
Height remains an important anthropometric measurement with implications for health assessment, medication dosing, and overall health status evaluation.