Researchers from the University of Nottingham have found that people who develop chronic lung disease are more likely to be shorter in height as compared to general population.

BBC reported that Boffins analyzed more than one million people over the age of 35 to reach this conclusion.

The results of the study were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health and the researchers say that the short height may be an indication of the poor background of these people.

Richard Hubbard, professor of respiratory epidemiology at the University of Nottingham and co-author of the study said, “Poorer nutrition in the ‘womb’ and when growing up as a child can affect general growth and lung development. This is combined with an increased likelihood to live with families and peers who smoke - influencing the chance of taking up and sticking with the habit.”

Professor Mike Morgan, chairman of the British Thoracic Society, also said that they need to take some measures to help poor people to make positive life choices and improvements to their health.