Men are on average about 10% taller, and heavier than women. Men also naturally have more muscle fiber, whereas women have more fat. This is largely the result of men assuming the role of the hunter, and women the role of provider.

Men's comparatively large stature made them successful hunters. It made them fast runners, and powerful fighters. But it came at a price - his extra body-weight meant that he had to eat more, particularly if he was very active.

Women's smaller body-weight meant that she could live on less food, though she clearly had to be big enough to bear children. The fact that the woman was largely sheltered by her mate allowed her to carry less muscle tissue, and larger reserves of fat for hard times.

We would expect to see both women and men being attracted to potential partners who were the ideal height. What we tend to see however is an attraction to taller men, and for some men, for taller women. This may be because height is generally a sign of good nutrition, good health, and therefore reproductive fitness.

The lesson here is not that women should be shorter than men, or that there is something wrong with short men, but it is an explanation of why women like tall men, and why men seem to prefer women who are shorter than they are.