[muir_redwoods]

How is it a survival advantage to be tall? A minimum height probably is but I fail to see the advantage of being 6'6" vs. 5'6". A larger person requires more food to maintain and as tool users we humans do pretty well even if we are small. Small populations exist and thrive around the globe. Tall ones do too. It's setting-dependent as to whether or not it's an advantage.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm 6'1" and 190lbs so my position is not partisan ;-)

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Well, in a physical confrontation-type of setting, bigger people who are in good physical condition have a decided advantage over smaller people who are in good physical condition. The Japanese recognized this in WWII, as our boys were generally able to plaster them in hand-to-hand combat.

Also in Vietnam, where the average male adult was somewhere around 90 lbs. vs the U.S. soldier weight of twice that shows what the weight and height advantage gives in terms of close physical confrontation.

Of course, when you throw out the obvious advantages gained for physical combat, then you are right. I don't see any particular advantages one way or another, as long as proper nutrition is observed.