Tall N Curly is a 5'11 1/2" lady who is a graphic designer and illustrator with a great sense of humour (and a lot of talent). You are going to LOVE her comics.

She writes about herself "Lastly, the fact of being tall AND curly, let me tell yall, that's something you better accept and love because otherwise, your life can be a hell of a nightmare. You simply CANNOT HIDE no matter what you do, no matter where you go, no matter how hard you try. You are THERE. So yeah, some days you just feel like you could have used a little bit of invisibility but in the end, all that matters is to feel great about yourself at least 99% of the time. That's where I'm at, so I'm able to laugh about everything that makes a curly and/or tall girl life's sometimes irritating, and so that's how and why I draw my lil comics."

Visit her website

Tall stories: Five Northern Ireland ladies tell us about the high life

Some of the world's most beautiful women stand around six feet tall. Think of a supermodel and the chances are she is over six feet tall - and that's before she has pulled on a pair of teetering heels and strode down the runway.

Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and Erin O'Connor are all at least 5ft 10ins, while iconic beauties such as the late Diana, Princess of Wales, was also about an inch off the six foot mark,- once she had slipped into a pair of courts and added a hat Prince Charles could look like a rather small man indeed.

To put it all into some sort of lofty perspective, the height of the average woman in the UK is a diminutive 5ft 3ins. No wonder, then, that so many of us can only look up to these fashion icons with envy.

After all, we imagine, clothes would look so much better if our legs were just a couple of inches longer. How easy it would be to stand out from the crowd - quite literally.

Then again, maybe our longing to be taller amounts to the height of nonsense. In a world where the average rules, many taller ladies complain that finding clothes to suit their measurements isn't easy - hence the rise of chains such as Long Tall Sally.

And then, of course, there is the delicate area of relationships.

Some might reckon it would take a big man indeed to be happy to step out with a woman who was, er, head and shoulders above him. Just look at how quickly Caroline Wozniacki stuck the stiletto in when Rory McIlroy ended his relationship with her, with the low blow that being single meant it would be nice to be able to wear heels again.

So, what is it really like to be a tall woman? We talk to five ladies about the long and short of it.

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Tall student bullied over her height reveals how she beat haters after years of hunching to appear more ladylike

Tamara Alireza, 34, used to be terrified of wearing high heels, but now she embraces her lofty physique

By Anthony Harvison
16:44, 31 AUG 2018
UPDATED 16:46, 31 AUG 2018

As a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Tamara Alireza stood head and shoulders above her classmates. At 6ft 1ins, she towered over the teachers, too. But while most teenagers would love to add a few inches to their frame, Tamara found herself the target of school bullies who tormented her for being tall. Despite her sporty stature, she was made to feel small and picked on for being 'different'. Tamara spent her informative years struggling to fit in and doing everything possible to look shorter and more "lady-like". She avoided being photographed and even walked hunched-over to conceal her true height. High heels were a definite no-no. Now aged 34, Tamara stands proud at 6ft 2ins – or a leggy 6ft 7ins in her favourite heels.

Not only has she embraced her enviable physique but has used it to her advantage as an accomplished children's author and anti-bullying campaigner. She looks down her nose at bullies and uses her own experiences to help youngsters nationwide. "They say the worst thing about being different is that you become a moving target for bullies. Unfortunately for me, I was a moving target they literally couldn't miss," Tamara said. "But it wasn't just the bullies who were making my life difficult. Society, generally, made me feel unwelcome. The bullies were a reflection of the times. "Fast-forward a few years and I came to love my body and myself. I realised that everyone is different, and that diversity needs to be cherished, nurtured and celebrated – not ostracised." She added: "We are all different and we are all equal."

Last year, shocking figures published by the Anti-Bullying Alliance revealed that more than half of children aged between eight and 16 worried about being 'different'. Of these, 40 per cent admitted they would "hide" or "change aspects of themselves" to avoid being bullied. Worryingly, more than a third (36 per cent) of those questioned thought that teachers did not do enough to educate pupils about what to do if they became victims. Tamara is among those who experienced bullying first-hand. As a child, she was tall for her age. But a growth spurt in her early teens meant she would tower over her peers – and her family - into adulthood. It left her self-conscious and at the mercy of cruel classmates, whose jibes compounded her lack of confidence. "When my friends all started wearing high-heels and make-up, I wore the flattest-soled shoes I could find so that I would fit in," she said.

Her height also made everyday tasks challenging. She found buying clothes – and especially dresses – "almost impossible". She was also forced to wear men's shoes because women's sizes rarely accommodated her size 10.5 feet. And the prospect of being photographed with pals was "particularly unappealing". Instead, she would sit in the front or stoop over. Dating was, she says, "not at all easy". "I felt uncomfortable in my own skin, it's that simple," she added. But by her mid-20s, Tamara finally came to terms with her height. Today, Tamara has no problems with being one of the tallest students at Royal Imperial College, London, where she has been studying for a PhD in neuroscience specialising in Parkinson's disease. She has used her own experiences to help others – most notably her nephew who was relentlessly bullied at school.

Her latest book, Steiny's Rhapsody , tells the inspirational story of a grand piano in a music store who suffers at the hands of the other instruments.

Steiny, like Tamara, eventually learns to love himself.

Tamara added: "Society is changing and, in time, so will people's attitudes to bullying. In the meantime, we all need to love the skin we're in – and refuse to cower down to the bullies."

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By Katie Sewell,Dec. 7, 2016, Posted in Lifestyle

We all want the fairy tale love story. Unfortunately, being a tall woman can sometimes seem like a burden when chasing true love.I’m 6’3” – something I get informed of almost every day by people I barely know. It’s as if they think I’m not already aware of the fact that I am taller than the average UK man. To make me more of a genetic freak I also have bright blonde hair, an attribute which, when combined with my height, has earned me the nickname ‘Flaming Beacon’ when I go out clubbing with squad.

For a very long time, I hated my height. As a teenager, I mastered the art of the ‘forward leg bend’, a move that the tall folk reading this will also be well acquainted with. In every group photo where I look normal in height, rest assured, the forward leg bend is in operation and my thigh muscles are in agony.

The main concern of my youth, as I’m sure was the same for many other angsty teenage girls, was whether or not somebody could possibly love me. I was doomed to a life of cats and one bedroom flats, I was sure of it.

Boys were a good head and shoulders beneath me until around the end of secondary school; even at sixth form a boy being taller than me was a novelty. My poor mother had to deal with many a teary breakdown at my self-deemed unworthiness of love.

My dad, an enormous man of 6’10”, didn’t see what the problem was. He was convinced, as most dads are, that his daughter was the most beautiful thing in the world. “Fluffy, the men will be lining around the block for you,” he would say. I was constantly reassured, but without the affirmation of a boyfriend, the words of my loved ones fell on deaf ears.

When I arrived at university, like pretty much any other student, I entered into the Tinder-sphere. I was frequently told I would be perfect ‘if only I were shorter’, boys frequently using the excuse that they could never, ever date a girl that was taller than them. So, naturally, I did the ‘boy thing’ and lied about my height on my profile. 6’3” Katie from Essex became 6 foot. How cheeky.

But please, don’t feel too sorry for me. My sad tall girl self-esteem crisis does have a slightly ‘happy ending’. Last year, one lad I liked on Tinder and I went on a date. Turns out he’d lied about his height, like a lot of lads do.

However, and rather fortunately for me, he’d lied about quite how tall he was. So 6’5” Dave was actually nearer to 6’8”. Get in. And just a couple of weeks ago, we went to Sweden (to be among the other tall freaks of the world) for our first trip away as a couple. Aww.

So, for those of you reading who are long-limbed, male or female, here is my advice: don’t hide yourself away. You are a genetic marvel, with a guaranteed good view at any concert.

Don’t ever let someone make you feel small for being anything but. If anyone mocks you, then that’s their problem, and certainly isn’t something you should be concerning yourself with. One day the right person will come, and they will love every inch of you.

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From wide-fit shoes and maternity ranges to plus-size accessories, there's something for everyone in UK shops. The question is, why do they bother where others don't?

Read the full article on the Guardian website

Well, this is topical, I'm afraid...

The woman stole an expensive designer bathing suit from a local shop.

By Rich Scinto (Patch Staff) June 22, 2015

Police are investigating after a New Canaan shop reported that an expensive one-piece bathing suit was stolen.

An employee from Soleil Toile on Elm Street reported the bathing suit stolen on June 16.

A blonde woman who is between 5'10'' and 6-feet-tall was asked by an employee if she needed assitance. She said no and the employee walked away.

Later on an employee noticed a hanger and tags on the floor.

Reported stolen was an Oasis bathing suit by Karla Colletto valued at $276.

The suspect is believed to be between the ages of 55 and 60-years-old and was heavy set, according to witness reports.

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Story by Ruthe Stein Photography by Russell Yip | November 10, 2016

Jessie Shepherd’s pride in her figure — all 6-feet-4 of it — is reflected in her decision to take up burlesque in her late 20s. She performs at the Elbo Room in the Mission as Lilith De Fee.

Half her stage name derives from the mythical archetype of female independence, and the other half pays homage to a burlesque dancer from the 1940s, who was the same height as Shepherd.

“Her name was Lois De Fee, but they called her Superwoman. She was awesome,” Shepherd said. Strolling through downtown San Francisco in 3-inch heels, she might be described the same way.

Shepherd is part of a generation of women in their 20s and 30s who grew to heights taller than Mom and sometimes even Dad. The Internet has become a conduit for them to bond through blogs like Tall Swag and Height Goddess. Over the past five years or so, online shopping has made it increasingly possible for tall women to find fashionable clothes designed for their particular frames.

Tall Bay Area women, emboldened by their numbers and stylish attire, say they’ve forsaken slouching and revel in soaring over everyone, including boyfriends. When George Clooney dated the 6-foot-plus wrestler Stacy Keibler, he marveled at her confidence. “But then what would she be afraid of? Low-flying planes?” he mused.

Earlier this year, Mattel toy company introduced Tall Barbie, an elongated version of the original. For a living, breathing role model, the women interviewed cited Michelle Obama. At just under 6 feet tall, she doesn’t hesitate to wear high heels, resulting in her appearing taller than the president.

“I used to be really quiet and self-conscious as a high schooler,” Shepherd recalled. “But when I went to college I just stopped giving a s—. It was like, ‘Yeah, OK, I’m tall. If you have a problem with that, whatever.”’ Shepherd has been a makeup artist and now works at a Berkeley bookstore, where she discovered Lois De Fee.

Feeling positive about her height led Shepherd to be comfortable with her physique, which led to her titillating hobby. “I have always been into theatrics. I guess I have a little exhibitionism in me but I didn’t realize it until I tried burlesque,” she said.

Tall women are accustomed to stares and questions about their height. Most common is whether they play basketball. They’re also asked if they model. (The opportunity comes up infrequently because women’s clothes are designed for 5-foot-7 bodies.)

Tourists, especially from countries where the population is generally shorter, often want to take a selfie with Shepherd. “I have what I call ‘tall days,’ when for no reason I can figure out I might get approached 10 times about my height,” she said.

The 6-foot-3 author Arianne Cohen said she wrote “The Tall Book” in 2009 because “there are books about every bodily form you can imagine, but there were no books about height, and it has been such a major part of my life for as long as I can remember.” In it she quotes studies showing tall people do better in the workplace. “It’s because shorter people perceive them as more competent,” Cohen said.

An optimal size for a mate is one of the biggest issues faced by women of a certain height. Cohen used to turn down dates who weren’t at least eye to eye with her while standing. Spotting a very tall man out with a short woman would infuriate her; she believed she would be a better fit.

“I got over it and it has helped my life immensely,” she said. “When you become a little more mature and start dating for the right reasons, you aren’t quite as intensely focused on the packages that people’s bodies come in.”

Alicia Jay, 35, senior manager of Game Experience for the Golden State Warriors who has her own personal style blog (http://www.tallswag.com/) and is the model in the images accompanying this article, recalls traumatic teen years when she was never asked out. “To this day men are still intimidated by my height, but now I know that my height is a very beautiful thing; it doesn’t bother me,” said Jay, who stands 6-foot-6. “I look at it as another way to weed out the men that aren’t the one. If you can’t handle my height, why would I want you anyway? Love me in my entirety or vacate the premises.”

The upside of being tall has revealed itself with passing years: “People are incredibly intrigued, which gives us an advantage in every situation. We are conversation starters,” Jay said. “Who else holds the presence of a room just by walking into it?”

Lynn Janicki and her identical twin sister, Kate Johnson, have been turning heads for most of their 32 years. Janicki, a 6-foot-2 marketing director in San Francisco, recalls growing up in tandem with her sister. During their early teens, they would be asked out by 17- and 18-year-olds fooled by their height into thinking the twins were older.

Janicki’s height is what attracted her husband, who stopped her on the street to ask where she was heading. They’re the same height, and Janicki wears heels no higher than 3 inches in deference to him.

By contrast, Rajahnique Jones, a 34-year-old court reporter from Antioch, goes for 4-inch heels to elevate her to 6-foot-4. She won’t date anyone shorter. “I always want to feel protected like I did walking with my dad,” she said.

While blogging at tallnnatural.com, Jones realized that many tall women still don’t feel comfortable or are hesitant to wear heels. She started posting photos of herself exquisitely put together. “A lot of people send me messages saying I inspire them.”

Jones’ main goal is to impress her 14-year-old daughter, who is already 5-foot-9. “I am just trying to be a good example to her. I want to let her know that tall is beautiful.”

Ruthe Stein is a San Francisco freelance writer. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CREDITS: Photography: Russell Yip Styling: Mary Gonsalves Kinney Hair & Makeup:Nicole Notarte Model: Alicia Jay Styling assistant: Elise Filter Von Arx

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Looks like the Huffington Post has fallen in love with tall women

When you're living life at the extreme end of the height spectrum, certain issues the average person might never expect present themselves regularly.

We've already covered the truth about life as only short girls know it, and now it's time to look elsewhere - or more specifically, look up.

Tall girls are a particular breed, part supermodel, part awkward giraffe... and don't even get us started on how tough it is to date. We pulled together some of the joys and sorrows that are daily encounters for the vertically blessed among us. Any of these ring true for you?

Check out the full article

Tall Women Likely To Live Longer

Written By: Kim Buckley

Taller women are more likely to live longer.

According to new medical research, women who are taller than 5 foot 9 are more likely to live into their 90s than women who are shorter than 5 foot 3.

The study from The Netherlands found that a woman's height and weight has a bigger influence on their life span then a man's.

The study also found that greater physical activity results in a longer life but not for both sexes.

The more exercise that men do the more likely they'll will live to old age, but for women, 60 minutes a day is all that's required and doing more doesn't make a difference.

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Tall Women Live Longer Than Short Ones, Recent Study Says

March 11, 2019 - Asheley Rice

According to a new study that lasted for 30 years, tall women have more chances to live longer than short ones. The study was published by the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

Tall women are more likely to have a longer life

The study started in 1986, and 120,000 women and men with ages between 55 and 69 took part in the research. The data comes from the Netherlands Cohort Study. What the study found was that women who are 5 ft 9 when they are 40 years old have 31% more chances to live until they reach 90 than women who are 5 ft 3 or shorter at the same age.

But even though taller women seem to have an aging advantage over shorter women, the same thing doesn't really apply to men.

Men who are engaged in more physical activity might live longer

As far as the height is concerned, this doesn't seem to play such an essential role in how long a man can live. What matters more for men are physical activity levels. The study showed that men who exercised for more than 90 minutes every day had 39% more chances to reach 90 than those who exercised for less than 30 minutes a day.

When it comes to women, those who exercised for approximately 30-60 minutes per day had 21% more chances to reach 90 than women who exercised for less than 30 minutes a day.

Women are believed to have more chances for a long life than men

Another thing that the study found was that no matter how tall or short the women were, they were more likely to live longer than the men. 34.4% of the women who participated in the research lived until they reached 90, while only 16.7% of the men lived until the same age.

Physical exercise is important

There might be a link between tall women and physical exercise, as they may exercise more than those who are shorter, but this has not been proven.

Nevertheless, exercising plays a crucial role in having a healthy life, regardless if you're a woman or a man. Maintaining a healthy life will undoubtedly increase your chances of living longer.

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Hattie Clarke
Writer and arts marketing professional working in London.

News released today by leading scientists at the University of Brobdingnag have proven that women who are above average height have more intense orgasms and make exceptional sexual partners.

Bullshit? Yes it certainly is. But now you’re here and I’ve got your attention.

I’d like to tell you about tall women and the mighty problems we face. As a card carrying 6ft tall member of the Tall Women Brigade I want to share my own experiences of an above average view on life.

It’s fair to say that probably every woman on the planet has received inappropriate comments about her appearance, and the battle to combat the barrage of idiocy online and in our workplaces is hard for everyone. When your height is above average in not only the women’s charts, but also the men’s, your chances of minimising sexist stupidity is nil.

I can’t remember the last time I met someone (a man) who didn’t comment on my height. I can’t remember the last party I went to where someone (a man) didn’t comment on my choice to wear heels. I wish I could say this is a recent discovery, but when you’re a tall woman you started as a tall girl.

At primary school I spent every lunchtime dropping one hip so I wouldn’t stand out amongst the other girls in the playground. I was taller than every boy in my class. I was constantly aware of how feminine I appeared, more conscious to be seen with the right colour pencil case and one of the first to paint my lashes and practice fluttering.

Being confident and tall is an incredible feeling, you are naturally seen because your physical presence fills the room and people are drawn to watch you. There’s a reason that my brother, a 6 ft 7 twenty-something, is now an actor. But for those of us tall women who are less sure of ourselves, or who are just having a bad day, not being able to blend into a room seriously sucks. On my blue days I find myself dressing in baggy clothes and layering myself into a tent-like cover-up, as if trying to hide some newly gained weight. But this doesn’t hide anything. In fact it just makes you more visible, you’re just a tent that’s taller than all the other tents.

I would never give up my height, it is integral to who I am. I come from a long line of tall people (see the Vikings), and I love it when I see women on the street or the tube who are as tall or taller than me. I want there to be a society for tall women where we can all moan about terrible trouser and sleeve lengths (my god, I have cold wrists 24/7) and about how shallow men can be, intimidated by any woman that doesn’t fit into the petite section. These are most likely the same men that single you out at a bar and want to go back to back to prove to his mates he must be taller than this giraffe-like woman. It takes a great deal of patience not to scream, “I’m not trying out for your basketball team, I came here to drink!”

Reaching a book on the highest shelf, spotting my husband/brother/other tall person is of use in a crowded station and always being offered the passenger seat are many of the great advantages of being a tall Woman. It is also an urban myth known throughout the tall woman hive mind and online community that as a tall woman you are less likely to be harassed on the street. There aren’t any statistics to tell us whether this is a fact, but from a straw poll of friends of all heights it seems that as the tallest I have gotten away with the least unwanted attention. It also seems likely that a harasser might see a tall woman as more intimidating, or be mistaken for a man. This is a mistake one could cultivate at any height - take it from experience, short hair and a tweed coat is all you need. Sadly, this does come with side effects, like being called ‘Sir’ by a shop assistant in the dairy aisle at Tesco.

Despite it all the Tall Woman Brigade is certainly here to stay, with the average height creeping up year on year. We are constantly recruiting members, from the tallest girl in her reception class to the wall Woman who always stays sitting down at parties. You are not alone in living the hazards of a tall life, and remember there are always the benefits (superior orgasms included). So don’t go it alone. Hear our heavy tread, see our long shadows and keep looking up.

Follow Hattie Clarke on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HattieLC

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Recently, a colleague of mine, a successful psychologist in her mid-30s, confided in me about an ongoing problem she faces in her dating life: She feels that she's simply too tall for most men, standing at almost six feet. The issue she struggles with is the same issue many other tall women deal with as they look for a good romantic partner.When we talk about tall women, there's what many people think of as 'sexy-tall,' the range of height where women are, say, 5'8" or 5'9". These women have the best of all possible worlds: They're tall to the point that it's easier to stay thin or carry weight well, but not so tall that they face the stigma of men not wanting want to date a tall woman. Tall women who experience romantic discrimination the most are approximately 5'10" and taller.

Read the full article on the eHarmony Blog website

June 14, 2017 by Magdalena Kegel In News.

Tall, thin girls, adolescents and young women are at higher risk of developing endometriosis, according to a study by U.S. and French researchers.

How body composition influences the risk of endometriosis is a matter of debate. Researchers at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and INSERM at the Paris-Saclay University in France hypothesized that hormone-related factors play a role.

The study, “Associations among body size across the life course, adult height and endometriosis,” confirmed earlier research on the connection between body composition and endometriosis. It was published in the journal Human Reproduction.

Researchers found 2,416 French women diagnosed with endometriosis among 61,208 who were part of a prospective study. That kind of study is a long-term look at people with mostly similar characteristics, such as age.

Since cancer can impact a woman’s risk of developing endometriosis, the researchers excluded those with a history of cancer from the study.

Women who were lean at 8 years old, when they had their first period, or when they were 20–25 years old were at higher risk of developing endometriosis than those with average or stouter body sizes, the team found.

They also found a link between body size when a woman was older and endometriosis, but it was not statistically significant.

The link between leanness and endometriosis held up when researchers accounted for factors such as the age when a woman had her first period, whether she had used oral contraceptives, and the level of her physical activity.

In terms of height, the study found that women 165 cm (about 5-5) or taller were more likely to have endometriosis than women who were less than 158 cm (5-2 feet). One hundred sixty-five centimeters equates to about 5 feet, 5 inches and 158 cm to about 5 feet, 2 inches.

Another finding was that those of medium height were at higher risk of developing endometriosis than those who were shorter.

Several factors can influence height, so the research team also measured a woman’s height while sitting and her leg length. Women with a sitting height of 87 cm — about 34 inches — or more were at increased risk of developing endometriosis than those with a sitting height of 82 cm — about 32 inches — or less. There was no correlation between leg length and the disease.

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Courtney Henry always hated picture day in elementary school. Growing up in West Palm Beach, Fla., she dreaded the ignoble tradition of making the tallest kid in the class stand in the center of the back row.

That student was always her.

"I was tall, I was black, and I was skinny," Henry recalls. "I was everything that was really not cool from, like, the third grade."

The daughter of a collegiate basketball player, Henry was an unathletic child whose parents paraded her in and out of several sports. Nothing went well. Then, for her ninth birthday, her mother signed her up for dance classes. She was three years older than most of the girls, and towered over them, but she had talent. The teacher urged Henry's mother to find a better studio. Henry began to dream of becoming a dancer, and that desire only deepened as she grew taller.

"I had to work harder," she said. "That was instilled in me from a pretty young age, because I knew I would be standing out."

At 6 feet tall, Henry is, quite possibly, the tallest professional female ballet dancer in the United States.

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Taller people are RICHER: Scientists find biggest leap in income takes place between 5'4" and 5'6" - but over 6' has no effect

By Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com
Published:  19:01 GMT, 19 May 2015 | Updated:  19:04 GMT, 19 May 2015

• On average, every extra inch in height earns a man $800 (£510) a year
• A 4-5 inch difference is associated with salary increase of 9-15 per cent
• Nutrition people received as a child - which affects both height and intelligence - is an important factor in determining salary, study finds 

Size really does matter in the boardroom, according to a new study.

Scientists believe that every extra inch a man has in height over his peers is worth almost $800 (£510) a year in increased earnings.

But not all inches are worth the same. 

A new study has found that the sharpest jump in earnings takes place between men who are 5'4' and 5'6' – but wages remain the same at around 6'0'.

In Western countries, The Atlantic notes that a four or five inch difference in height is associated with an increase in salary between nine and 15 per cent.

Earning more if you're taller makes sense for jobs that require physical strength, but the trend is largely seen in desk-based roles.

Some researchers believe taller people in officers earn more because they have better emotional intelligence, social skills and self-confidence.

Another theory suggests that taller people are treated better giving them more emotional stability and a better work ethic.

A new paper by Andreas Schick, an economist at the FDA, and Richard Steckel, an economist at the Ohio State University, argues it may be a combination of these factors.

They looked at data from the UK tracking a group of people born in 1958, and they found that neither intelligence or physical factors alone could not explain the differences in earnings.

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By Amanda Woods July 28, 2020 | 4:04pm

People over six feet tall are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, the results of a new survey reveal.

The global team of researchers, including experts from the University of Manchester and Open University, surveyed 2,000 people in the country, as well as the US, to determine whether their personal attributes, work and living practices might play a role in transmission, The Telegraph reported.

The results found that taller people are at a higher risk, which researchers say suggests that the contagion is spreading through the air - because height would not be a factor if the virus was only contractible through droplets, according to the report.

"The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible," Professor Evan Kontopantelis, of the University of Manchester, told the outlet.

"This has been suggested by other studies, but our method of confirmation is novel," he added.

"Though social distancing is still important, because transmission by droplets is still likely to occur, it does suggest that mask-wearing may be just as - if not more - effective in prevention. But also, air purification in interior spaces should be further explored."

Droplets are larger than aerosols and are thought to travel relatively short distances and plummet from the air, according to the report. But aerosols, which can build up in poorly ventilated areas, are carried by air currents.

The study also found that using a shared kitchen or accommodation played a large role - especially in the US, where those circumstances made the chances of contracting the bug 3.5 times as high.

In the UK, chances were 1.7 times higher.

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Chances of atrial fibrillation rise along with body size, but remain low overall, study says

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

SOURCES: Annika Rosengren, M.D., professor, internal medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Allan Stewart, M.D., director, aortic surgery, Mount Sinai Health System, New York City: Neil Bernstein, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; April 7, 2017, European Society of Cardiology meeting, Malaga, Spain

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2017

Copyright © 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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6ft 2in Sophie, 12, towers over pals and her parents as she sets new record

Sophie can touch ceilings at home and is 18 inches taller than most classmates

Exclusive By Lynsey Clarke and Jennifer Wiley
30th May 2018, 11:05 pm Updated: 30th May 2018, 11:05 pm

RECORD-breaking 12-year-old Sophie Hollins stands proud at 6ft 2in, as she towers over her pals and even her mum and dad.

The schoolgirl can touch ceilings at home, and is 18 inches taller than most classmates.

Sophie, who Guinness World Records believe is the world’s tallest pre-teen, said: “I’ve always known I was different. I’ve been tallest in my class from day one.”

But while she says it is “cool” to be so tall, she adds that she will be delighted if a recent procedure to stunt her growth is successful. 

Sophie - who looks down on 5ft 10in dad Ian, 5ft 4in mum Lorraine, both 44, and 4ft 7in brother Aaron, ten - was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome at eight months.

The life-threatening genetic disorder affects the body’s connective tissues.

It can cause organ problems, or lead to extreme height.

Sophie was 4ft 10in at age six. Aged ten and 5ft 11in, doctors curbed her surge by destroying growth tissue in her knees and giving her hormones to speed up puberty. 

Sophie, from Southampton, said: “Mum told me about Marfan syndrome when I was little. It’s who I am. I’m proud of that.

“But I’m happy I might have finished growing. It’s cool to be 6ft 2in but I don’t want to be much taller.

“Now my friends are starting to catch up. The last few years have been tough with everything my body has been through. But I’m happy it’s over and am excited about becoming a teenager.”

Dental receptionist Lorraine added: “I always told Sophie people are going to stare. Boys at school called her a giraffe. There was a time she was so skinny I feared her legs would snap in half.”

Guinness says the world tallest man is Turkish farmer Sultan Kösen, 35, at 8ft 2.8in. The tallest woman is China’s 7ft 3in Sun Fang, 30.

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Student, 18, who stands 6ft 2in tall reveals she's stopped on the street by strangers in awe of her height - and refuses to slouch to fit in with shorter friends

A teenager proud of her 6ft 2in frame revealed she is stopped in the street by strangers in awe of her height. Tara Humphris, 18, from Oxford, said she has always been taller than all of her friends but refuses to slouch just to fit in. Instead she has always embraced her height and even adds extra inches by wearing heels. And her striking height never goes unnoticed. 'In terms of reactions, I always get lots of glances, often stares and compliments about my height and the way I flaunt it,' Tara said. 'Random strangers even stop me in the streets to ask my height and tell me I look elegant and graceful, which as anyone can imagine is such a confidence boost.' 

Tara credits her height for enabling her to excel in sports, such as basketball, netball and badminton, which she now competes in at university in Bath.

When she's out Tara receives lots of stares, double takes and compliments about her height, with people stopping to tell her she exudes elegance and grace, something she says gives her a massive confidence boost.

Tara is the tallest female in her family and her brother, Josh, is already 6ft 5in at 16.

However, Tara credits her mother, Elaine, who is 5ft 11in for making her feel positive and confident about her height, after her parent struggled with her own height when she was at school and didn't truly embrace it until later in life, when she saw Tara growing taller.

Incredible pictures show Tara standing proudly amongst her friends and wearing heeled boots to make herself even taller.

Tara said: 'Growing up I've always been taller than all my friends and was the tallest girl in my entire secondary school when I was only 15 and I loved it.'

'I was known for being the tall blonde girl and always stood out in a crowd. My height also came in handy for sports as I was very active, playing basketball, netball and badminton at competitive levels throughout school, which I also now continue at uni.

'I cannot thank my mum enough as I can confidently say that she is the reason I feel so positive about my height, as she brought me up telling me to stand proud with my shoulders back and head held high and told me that if anyone was ever mean about my height it was only because they are jealous.

'Therefore, I can honestly say that there has never been a moment in my life where I wished I was shorter, as my mind set is that you can't change your height so you've just got to embrace it.

'In my opinion, there's nothing worse than a tall girl standing slouched in a failed attempt to look the same height as her friends, you've just got to love your height and stand confidently as confidence radiates off a person, especially if that person is tall and proud of it.

'Therefore, I've also always loved wearing heels as I'm already tall so I figure I might as well be taller.

'My mum on the other hand grew up the opposite, as she hated being tall, standing at 5ft 11in herself she was always the tallest through school as well but lacked the confidence and support I had growing up, it was only later on in her life that she began to enjoy her height, in particular when me and all my cousins started growing taller than her she began to embrace it fully.

'I have a big family and have a whole squad of 6ft to 6ft 5in cousins and even my younger brother at the age of 16 is already 6ft 5in. This is another reason I love my height as I've constantly grown up with people taller than me and it's great, however I can proudly boast that I am the tallest girl in my entire family.'

The only time when the comments she receives frustrate her slightly is on a night out when people state the obvious that Tara is a tall woman, something she tries to laugh off.

She shared her words of advice to others to encourage them to embrace what makes them unique. 

She continued: 'However I must say the only times I find it funny but frustrating, is if I'm on a night out and drunk people say to me, "oh wow, you're tall", because I just say back to them, "ok, thanks for letting me know, not like I didn't know that or anything", and then they usually feel bad or humiliated for stating the obvious and I just laugh, because I don't mind it really.

'The main message I wish to convey is just to love yourself, everyone was made unique so you've just got to work with that, embrace yourself and live everyday as it comes.'

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