In a recent study, researchers have discovered that the body sizes of colonizers in New Zealand have increased significantly over the past two centuries. This finding suggests that the environment has been changing in ways that favor larger body sizes, and that the human population in New Zealand is adapting to this new environment. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, shows that between 1809 and 2019, the average body mass index (BMI) of New Zealanders of European descent increased from 24.4 to 26.7. This increase in BMI is mainly due to an increase in body weight, with no corresponding increase in height.

The researchers believe that this increase in body size can be attributed to improved nutrition and living conditions in New Zealand since the 1800s. They also point to the effects of natural selection, as larger individuals may have an advantage in some environments. This research provides insight into how the human population in New Zealand is adapting to environmental changes, and how this adaptation may affect health outcomes in the future.

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source: Phys.org