It may be true in modern western societies that height is up to 90%
genetic, but we must not forget that such heritability estimates are
bound by their time and place. Specifically, if all individuals enjoy a
common nearly-optimal environment, height will be enormously heritable.
In a poorer environment, this heritability would be lower.
So IF there is a demonstrated female mate preference for tall males,
it may be because in our environment of evolutionary adaptation height
was much less heritable, and reflected not so much an individual's genes
as his health, nutrition, and general fitness. This would put it in the
general "signs of vigor" category.
