Ellen Gruenbaum, a professor and head of the anthropology department at Purdue University, was also curious about how income levels shaped Komlos' findings.
"Statistics kept by imprecise categories like 'race' often reflect what are really socioeconomic and lifestyle differences," she said. Height, health and socioeconomic status are definitely connected, she added.
Considering that black men have grown taller in recent generations, and now measure an average of a third of an inch shorter than white men, according to Komlos' study, Gruenbaum hopes researchers follow up with studies about earlier puberty for girls and neighborhoods that promote or do not promote exercise.
"Higher socioeconomic classes generally have safer environments, better schools, more parks and safer streets for play, exercise, walking to school, etc," Gruenbaum said in an e-mail to ABCNews.com. "Dangerous neighborhoods, by contrast, lead to children -- especially girls, perhaps -- staying inside more for safety."
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