The height of an individual may be a sufficient biological factor and determinant for the occurrence of some diseases, such as erectile dysfunction, in adult men.  

Height, especially in adulthood, scientists say, can affect more than 100 clinical characteristics, impacting not only on health but also on people's quality of life.

This is a conclusion from a study which looked at more than 250,000 participants, and indicates that people with heights of 1.76 meters or more have a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy - dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves. This nerve condition can also lead to skin infections, leg and foot ulcers, and bone complications.

According to the research, being tall also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and varicose veins, but it's not all bad news: it may also have health benefits, as the study linked taller people to a lower risk of heart disease, blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

The work ruled out external conditions such as diet and environment by focusing only on the height of the patients, whose body mass index averaged 30.1.

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center researchers say the study proves that height may be a "biologically plausible" risk factor for various health conditions in adults and that since it is not modifiable, it should be considered when making a clinical assessment or studying genetic factors that may impact health.