The rapid increase in European height during the mid to late nineteenth century has yet to be fully explained. Improved nutrition and decreased pathogen exposure can account for some, but not all of the observed increase in average height for particular European countries during this period. A new model is proposed that incorporates evolved psychological preferences for taller mates in addition to effects of improved nutrition and sanitation. In humans, height correlates positively with social status, economic well-being and reproductive success, and the preference for height in human mate selection shows key hallmarks of an evolved psychological trait that arose through sexual selection.

However, cultural practices can sometimes override evolved psychological traits. I argue that practices such as arranged marriages and political disenfranchisement of women, which were common in Europe until late 19th century, suppressed the effect of sexual selection for height. As European cultures became more socially progressive, sexual equality increased, allowing innate mate selection preferences to be expressed more fully.