Across-nation differences in the mean values for complex traits are common,,,,,,,, but the
reasons for these differences are unknown. Here we find that many independent loci
contribute to population genetic differences in height and body mass index (BMI) in 9,416
individuals across 14 European countries. Using discovery data on over 250,000 individuals
and unbiased effect size estimates from 17,500 sibling pairs, we estimate that 24%(95%
credible interval (CI)= 9%, 41%) and 8%(95% CI= 4%, 16%) of the captured additive genetic …

Across-nation differences in the mean of complex traits such as obesity and stature are
common1–8, but the reasons for these differences are not known. Here, we find evidence
that many independent loci of small effect combine to create population genetic differences
in height and body mass index (BMI) in a sample of 9,416 individuals across 14 European
countries. Using discovery data on over 250,000 individuals and unbiased estimates of
effect sizes from 17,500 sib pairs, we estimate that 24%(95% CI: 9%, 41%) and 8%(95% CI …