There isn't one single gene that controls height, and besides that, environmental factors play a vital role in the full height that a person will reach. In spite of the countless variables at play, though, we can make some solid predictions when we use observed height data in the right regression model.

Redditor u/takeasecond used the Galton height dataset to develop a lovely matrix that shows a regression to the mean when it comes to heights. A very short father is likely going to have a taller son. A very tall mother is probably going to have a shorter daughter.

Of course, we're talking about population statistics, so this cannot perfectly predict how one individual will turn out — but on average, a pattern emerges that shows how height tends to go back towards the mean.

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byu/takeasecond from discussion
indataisbeautiful

Via u/takeasecond.