[Hypotheses and reasons for the progression of body height since the middle of the 19th century--a science history retrospect. II. A discussion of the reasons since the middle of the 20th century including some terminological considerations].

In part I of this paper, reasons for secular height-progression till the middle of our century were discussed. In the beginning, reasons were seen in the improvement of nutrition and in lightening from strong physical load. To the middle of our century, more and more hypothetical reasons were alleged. After this time, science found back to new reality. The secular height-progression is the consequence of nutritive improvements, especially of increased consumption of animal protein. An chief matter seems to be the nutrition of babies with food containing more protein than by breast-fed childs. Early child-nutrition may to be like a stamping for endocrine activity. The last phase of stature's increase is caused by intensive lightening from physical load in the course of modern mechanization, which advanced bone-growth of the legs.