Size does matter. A new study conducted by Princeton University researchers and published in the science journal Economics and Human Biology found that taller people are happier, whereas those below average height tend to be discontented. The study asked more than 450,000 adults to rank their lives on a “life ladder” from one to 10.

Individuals, especially men, who were taller than average were more positive and experienced emotions of enjoyment and happiness more frequently. In addition, the study showed that the more lofty men also generally had a higher income and education level, possibly explaining the correlation between height and happiness. Women yielded less decisive results as there were many variations in height. Those shorter than the average 5 foot 4 inches, however, most frequently reported that their lives were the “worst possible.” Similarly, men shorter than the average height of about 5 feet 10 inches, were the most unhappy among their male peers. These same men were most likely to drop out of high school as well and were generally more than one inch shorter than men with a college degree. The study also found that taller men worry much less often than their shorter counterparts, yet taller women tend to worry more than shorter women.

—compiled by Lani Hossain