Converting 5 Feet 10 Inches to Centimeters - Height Facts and Data

Converting 5 Feet 10 Inches to Centimeters

When converting between imperial and metric units, it's important to have a basic understanding of the conversion factors involved. In this case, we are looking to convert a height measurement that is 5 feet and 10 inches into centimeters.

To start, let's breakdown the imperial measurement:

• 5 feet
• 10 inches

There are 12 inches in 1 foot. Therefore, we can calculate:

• 5 feet = 5 * 12 inches = 60 inches
• 10 more inches
• Total inches = 60 + 10 = 70 inches

Now that we have the height in inches, we need to convert inches to centimeters. The conversion factor between inches and centimeters is:

• 1 inch = 2.54 cm

Using this conversion factor, we can calculate the total height in centimeters:

• 70 inches * 2.54 cm/inch = 177.8 cm

Therefore, 5 feet 10 inches is equal to 177.8 cm when converted to centimeters.

Metric vs Imperial Systems

This conversion between feet/inches and centimeters demonstrates the difference between the imperial and metric systems. The imperial system of units originated in the British Empire and is still used in a few countries such as the United States. However, most of the world now uses the metric system which has units based on decimal multiples.

Some key differences include:

• Length measurements in metric use meters and centimeters instead of feet and inches.
• Weight uses kilograms and grams rather than pounds and ounces.
• Volume measurements are in liters and milliliters instead of gallons and pints.

The metric system allows for easier conversions between units since it uses a base 10 system. Converting between metrics units is simplified by moving the decimal place rather than remembering conversion factors.

For example, to convert centimeters to meters, you just move the decimal place over two spots to the left. 100 cm = 1 m. The relationship between units is more straightforward compared to converting 12 inches to 1 foot.

So while the imperial system is deeply ingrained in some cultures, the simplicity of metric makes it popular worldwide for science, medicine, and industry.

Standard Height Measurements

When looking at a height such as 5 feet 10 inches, it can be useful to understand typical heights for comparison.

Here are some standard height ranges:

• Newborn baby length: 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm)
• 1 year old height: 28 to 32 inches (71 to 81 cm)
• 4 year old height: 37 to 42 inches (94 to 107 cm)
• 8 year old height: 45 to 53 inches (115 to 135 cm)
• 12 year old height: 57 to 63 inches (145 to 160 cm)
• Adult male average: 69 inches (175 cm)
• Adult female average: 63 inches (161 cm)

Based on these standard measurements, a height of 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm) is taller than the average female but slightly shorter than the average male. It corresponds to somewhere in the late teen years in terms of growth.

Of course, these are just averages and there is a lot of variation in height across individuals based on genetics, nutrition, and other factors.

Height Statistics and Distributions

We can get more precise information on height distributions across populations by looking at data from scientific studies.

For example, a study published in the Annals of Human Biology looked at height measurements for over 4,000 young adult men in the United States.

The researchers found:

• Average height: 69.1 inches (175.4 cm)
• Standard deviation: 2.8 inches (7.0 cm)
• 25th percentile height: 67.3 inches (171 cm)
• 50th percentile (median) height: 69 inches (175 cm)
• 75th percentile height: 70.8 inches (180 cm)

This shows that even within a specific population, male heights are distributed across a range, with most clustered around the average.

Only about 25% of young men were shorter than 67.3 inches. On the taller end, only 25% were above 70.8 inches. So at 5 feet 10 inches, our original height falls above the midpoint but within one standard deviation of the mean.

Looking at female height distributions reveals that there is even more variation, with average heights lower overall compared to males. A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology reported:

• Female average height: 64.7 inches (164.3 cm)
• Female standard deviation: 2.6 inches (6.7 cm)

So while 5 feet 10 inches is taller than the male average, it is significantly above the norm for females. This highlights that there are clear physical differences between sexes that need to be considered when looking at height data.

Height Percentiles

Another way to contextualize height measurements is to use height percentile charts.

Pediatricians will often plot a child's height on a growth chart to see the height percentile they fall into. This helps track growth and development compared to standards for age and sex.

For example, here are some representative height percentiles for 12 year old boys:

• 5th percentile: 57 inches (145 cm)
• 25th percentile: 59 inches (150 cm)
• 50th percentile: 62 inches (157 cm)
• 75th percentile: 65 inches (165 cm)
• 95th percentile: 68 inches (173 cm)

So if a 12 year old boy was 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm), he would be above the 95th percentile for his age group - meaning taller than 95% of other boys of that age.

Adult height percentiles have also been calculated and follow similar patterns. We could estimate that 5 feet 10 inches falls around the 75th percentile for adult male height based on the distribution data mentioned earlier.

Knowing these percentiles can help determine if a height is unusually short or tall compared to the general population.

Height Comparison By Country

So far we've looked at height data mainly for the United States population. But heights can also vary significantly across different countries and ethnicities.

For example, a study in the journal eLife reported the following average male heights by country:

• Netherlands: 182.5 cm (5 feet 11.8 inches)
• Belgium: 179.5 cm (5 feet 10.6 inches)
• Estonia: 179.1 cm (5 feet 10.5 inches)
• Latvia: 178.8 cm (5 feet 10.2 inches)
• Denmark: 178.8 cm (5 feet 10.2 inches)

In contrast, countries with lower average heights included:

• Timor-Leste: 160 cm (5 feet 3 inches)
• Yemen: 160.8 cm (5 feet 3.1 inches)
• Laos: 161 cm (5 feet 3.4 inches)
• Madagascar: 162 cm (5 feet 3.8 inches)
• Malawi: 162.7 cm (5 feet 4 inches)

These geographic differences often come down to genetics, as well as nutrition and healthcare factors that support growth. As living conditions improve around the world, average heights are also gradually increasing over time.

But the differences between ethnic groups remain significant. For instance, the average adult male height for those of European ancestry is 5 feet 10 inches while the average for East Asians is 5 feet 7 inches.

Why Height Matters

Beyond comparing against population averages, height can impact health and quality of life in meaningful ways. Here are some reasons why height matters:

• Mortality risk – Many studies show an association between shorter height and higher mortality rates, especially from heart disease. Potential reasons could include smaller lung size or higher blood pressure in shorter individuals.
• Cancer risk – Greater adult height is associated with higher cancer risk overall, including colon and breast cancers. Factors like cell growth pathways may play a role.
• Income – On average, shorter people earn slightly less compared to taller peers. Each additional 2 inches of height is linked to a 1.8% increase in income based on data.
• Self-esteem – Height can influence confidence and self-perception. Very short or tall stature outside the norm can sometimes lead to emotional issues.
• Social treatment – Height appears to correlate with how people are treated by others. Taller individuals are more likely to be seen as leaders for example.

These types of findings demonstrate that height interacts with biological mechanisms and social factors in ways that impact quality of life at both extremes. An average, moderate height within the normal range is generally associated with the best outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, converting the imperial height measurement of 5 feet and 10 inches to the metric value of 177.8 cm provides a great example of moving between measurement systems. We also explored population height data to contextualize this height, and reasons why height matters for health and social factors. While individual heights are determined largely by genetics, environmental conditions also play an important role in realizing height potential.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.