Short people have fewer incidences of cancer, so I don’t think you can say that lower overall risk of death implies lower risk of heart disease.
replyAs for 2, men in the US are getting shorter because of immigration which adds many confounders.
I am not saying that. I am saying that the theory about absolute amount of fat being bad for health, as stated by the comment you responded, seems to be supported by data.
replyPeople do tend to shrink in height quite a bit at advanced age.
replyhttps://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003998.htm
"People typically lose almost one-half inch (about 1 centimeter) every 10 years after age 40. Height loss is even more rapid after age 70. You may lose a total of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) in height as you age."
So people DO in fact tend to lose about 2 inches at age 80 versus their younger selves.