Friday, August 19 2005 14:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Houston: If you are a tall teenager, you are in for some good luck. A new study says that the taller you are as a teenager, the more money you will make as an adult.

While prior research shows tall adults earn more money, what matters most is how tall a person was as a teenager, says Prof Dan Silverman, a University of Michigan economist.

"Two adults of the same age and height who had different heights at age 16 are treated differently in the labour market, the person who was taller as a teen earns more," he says.

Using data from United States and British National surveys, Silverman and colleagues found that each additional inch of height at age 16 is associated with a 2.7 per cent increase in wages among white American men and a 2.6 per cent increase among white men in United Kingdom, regardless of occupational choice.

Moreover, the teen 'height premium' does not diminish much when variables such as family resources, good health, native intelligence and self-esteem are taken into account.

The study, published in 'Journal of Political Economy,' included analysis of men's heights at ages 7, 11, 16 and 33. But only height at age 16 influenced future wages, it showed.

"Participation in extracurricular and other social activities as a teenager may play a significant role in the teen height premium. Playing high school sports is associated with nearly a 12 per cent increase in adult wages and participation in every additional club other than athletics correlates to about a 5 per cent increase in wages.

"Those who were relatively short when young are less likely to participate in social activities like athletics, school clubs and dating that help teens hone their social skills, skills that will eventually help them secure good jobs as adults," he adds.