Scientists believe they now have a better understanding of what determines height in humans. An international group of researchers came together and studied a group of over 250,000 people from different regions of the world. They located over 400 genome regions that appear to be related to determining height, and they found almost 700 genetic variants.

The research, published in Nature Genetics, claims that around 80 percent of human height is based on genes, while the remaining 20 percent is based on external factors like diet. The researchers involved believe these findings could help treat diseases that can be related to height, like osteoporosis. The study further supports the concept that height is largely based on genetics, as is seen by tall parents bearing taller children. The found genes might help scientists study rare syndromes that cause children to grow unusually tall or unusually little.