Asian American Attitudes toward Height | Asian American Poll

AA ATTITUDE TOWARD HEIGHT
(Updated Saturday, Jun 6, 2026, 12:07:54 AM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Assuming you are an Asian American, how important is height in your assessment of a person's attractiveness?
It's a key element of attractiveness. | 20%
It's one of many factors I consider. | 44%
It's less important than other personal qualities. | 28%
I am not attracted to tall people. | 8%

Assuming you are an Asian American, which best matches your feelings toward your own height?
I'd like to be 3 inches taller. | 43%
I'd like to be an inch taller. | 27%
I'm happy with my height. | 26%
I'd like to be an inch shorter. | 4%

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Angelique,

Westerners (esp. non-Americans) perhaps care less about height than Asians because they have the power and the wealth. They feel no lack in comparison to Asians. They're happy with themselves.

In contrast, Asians are sensitive to all things compared to Westerners, including height.

While the symbology of height is natural, the sense of inferiority in comparison to Westerners has exacerbated Asians' height consciousness.

It is not unlike Asians over-preoccupation with light skin. While light skin has traditionally been valued, it's now perhaps doubly valued because of the comparison made with Westerners.

It would be of little doubt that if the world power structure was reversed (Asians on top, Westerns on bottom, as it once was), we Asians would be snickering at their height and their lighter skin. We would perhaps call them "stupid giants" and "white ghosts", or something to that effect.
-------------------------------

Sure, height not only represents masculinity and power, but also indicates "good nutrition" and "good genes". Stunted growth through nutrition deprivation or disease is all too common in poor societies.

However, none of these things are necessarily true, at least anymore. As some people have indicated, taller height can be a result of poor nutrition, just as shorter height can be a result of poor nutrition. I think it is a fallacy to believe that taller equals healthier: Asians are getting taller these days, but not healthier. The "McDonalds" diet poses health risks, not least of which are obesity and heart disease.

I think that it's perhaps not dissimilar to the traditional notion that being "plump" was seen as a sign of wealth and good nutrition. In the past when times were hard and people often died of starvation, being "fat" was seen as a good thing; a sign of privilege and wealth. But with modernization and increased levels of wealth all around, being "fat" is no longer seen as a sign of wealth or privilege, but rather, unhealth and indolence.

While height in many respects continues to be associated with "good health", in reality, it should no longer be (unless one lives in the 3rd world). In the 1st world, including E. Asia, no one's height is any longer stunted by poor health. Like fat=good health, the tall=good health equation no longer applies anymore.
po Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 08:14:31 (PDT)

be,

It wouldn't be surprising to me if soy products did in fact hinder height growth since soy contains estrogen, but I've not heard any facts making such a claim however.

There are perhaps ways to boost height, but it would not be healthy. I think society's goal should be towards good health and nutrition, not increased height. At some point, trying to be taller than the next guy becomes kinda ludicrous taken to the nth degree.

Soy products are very good for you and I wouldn't keep it out of one's diet.

Height (assuming one is normal and healthy) is just a social issue; it adds to "quality of life" through social acceptance and esteem. That's all.

But social acceptance is relative and fickle. I wouldn't encourage anyone base their happiness or self-esteem on their acceptance/non-acceptance by others. Celebrities may be very happy when they have fans, but they're also miserable when their fan base wanes (as it will eventually). At least, many celebrities live constantly in the fear of losing popularity. Celebrities are arguably the psychologically unhealthiest bunch there is due to this fact alone: they've taken this need for social acceptance to a hyper degree, and try to make a livelihood from it.
po Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 07:51:04 (PDT)

villageidiot:
anti-soy propaganda (and all those annoying California Cheese and Got Milk ads) is mostly funded by milk industry skimming off the top (pun intended) of the subsidies the U.S. government gives them. (I especially liked the one about how soybeans have an estrogen-like compound which causes men to gain more fat in areas associated with female figure). So the science of it turns into the turf war between soybean farmers and dairy farmers. End milk subsidies and we might get some less-biased science on this issue.

be, great ruler:
Read a study somewhere which asserted that facial features (specifically, on men, a strong chin/jawline) were more even important than height in determining rank in the military among commissioned officers. I'll try to dig it up for ya when I have the time.
T.H. Lien Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 00:35:37 (PDT)

be:

"Quality of life" can not be improved through height.
Height can be improved when the "Quality of life" improves.
Good "quality of life" reinforces the potential to be tall through better nutrition...ect.

I was just pointing that out as an underlying value of why people care about height.

Angelique Monday, May 06, 2002 at 20:57:51 (PDT)

Commenting on height and power.

Even in the poorer countries controlled by strong dictatorships (e.g. Eastern Europe, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, etc..), they are aware of the visual impact of the height of leaders. In those countries where the dictatorship has complete control over the media, they only show images of their leader if they are the tallest person in the picture. If there is someone taller than the leader, such as with another leader or high diplomat, they only show pictures when everyone is sitting down.
B. Lee Monday, May 06, 2002 at 20:04:30 (PDT)

What brought me to this place is a news article which pointed out that increasing numbers of Chinese youngsters, especially girls, are going in for the painful Ilizarov technique to increase their height. I have been concerned about my height as various times in the past, I am 176 cms tall, but I haven't placed a lot of thought on it in the recent past. To some extent, I can understand the obsession with height in partners as a remnant from our evolutionary past. Height was an important indicator of strength in a mate and so looking for taller mates is probably hardcoded into us. We can certainly override it, but most most people would choose not to.
the inches I lack in height are made up somewhere else ;) Monday, May 06, 2002 at 18:15:46 (PDT)

Only 10 of the 42 American Presidents were over 6'0". They ranged from 5'4" James Madison) to 6'4" (Abraham Lincoln). George W Bush is 5'11".

Great leaders are between above average to tall, about 5'11" to 6'3". The public likes someone who is above average and stands out, but not so tall that they do not realisticly represent the general population.
B. Lee Monday, May 06, 2002 at 17:36:55 (PDT)

villageidoit:
The research about soy product hindering growth could have been flawed. If it wasn't...there could be many other contributing factors that explain the varied heights among asians. A time back scientist claimed that AA high consumption of soy explains why we are at low risk for breast cancer. Now they're saying that the natural ingredients in soy is increasing the risk of breast cancer. Who knows what to believe anymore. The once 'miracle food' is now perceived to be dangerous.

great ruler:
You're a bigger idoit for allowing my comments to have that type of affect on you. Geez, this is only a forum...you dont need to get a hissy fit. A long time ago, I remember reading somewhere that the US presidents are all rather tall. Unfortunately, I can't quote you the source b/c its been so long that I forgot where I read that information. It is also very possible that the information was inaccurate.
be Monday, May 06, 2002 at 15:54:16 (PDT)

history of U.S. presidents,
I always thought anglo-saxon meant people from England. Irish are not considered anglo-saxon and neither are Germans. Three Irish presidents come to my mind: Kennedy, Reagan, and Clinton. Eisenhower was German, wasnt he? I also think George Washington's family originally came from Prussia.
real history of US presidents Monday, May 06, 2002 at 13:08:36 (PDT)

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