Young Australian women’s growth stunted by poor diet and busy lifestyle, ABS figures reveal

SHOCK new data shows Australian women aged 18 to 24 are getting shorter. What’s the culprit?

HEALTH experts fear for young Australian women as new data shows poor diet and an on-the-run lifestyle is stunting their growth.

“Startling” statistics show females aged 18 to 24 are shrinking in height and also getting fatter.

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An exclusive analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveals that from 1995 to 2012 young adult women lost on average 1.1cm in height. Their mothers’ age group 45 to 55 lost only 0.1cm. In contrast young men have shrunk 0.3cm.

The numbers have made the Dietitians Association of Australia worry about “the nation’s future mothers”.

Recent research commissioned by the association revealed that women 18 to 24 have put on more weight since 1995 than any other age group – up 27 per cent.

“The figures are startling and I worry about the health and fertility of our future mothers. As a dietitian I see a lot of young women who do not eat enough calcium-rich foods, and if you don’t meet your daily requirement then you are at risk of shrinkage,” association spokeswoman Melanie McGrice said.

“Young women often eat on the run and are image-conscious. Many follow fad diets which don’t work and actually end up with weight gain, and they often do not work out to build a strong body. There is a misconception that dairy puts weight on, and it is often cut out of the diet. Fridges have protein shakes instead of fresh produce.”

While migrancy may have an impact on ABS height data, the analysis across all age groups highlights no change in women aged 25 to 34, only 0.3cm drop in women aged 35 to 44 and 0.1cm in 45 to 54-year-olds.

Ms McGrice believes young women need to go back to basics and learn how to cook quick and easy, healthy meals that will keep them fuelled for a busy lifestyle instead of grabbing meal replacements or fast foods.

Brisbane mum Paula Sully, 45, has two daughters Bec, 20, and Georgia, 19.

Both daughters, true to trend, are slightly smaller than mum, who is 168cm.

“I think mums of my generation try to stay in good shape. When you are getting older you see the damage that can be done when you don’t exercise and eat well,” she said.

“My daughters would not fit into the category of young women who do not look after themselves. They both like to workout and stay strong.

“Yes, they do love their shakes and low-carb diets but generally keep themselves healthy. Though dairy is not a big part of their diet.

“The younger generation has a tendency to always be busy and eat on the run.”

In 1995 the average height of a female aged 18 to 24 was 164.9cm and in 2012 it was 163.8cm.

So what does today’s society consider tall? RSVP dating site runs a tall men and women section. The site ranks 5 ft 6 inches (167cm) to be tall for women and 5 ft 9 (176cm) for men.