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Height and social class in middle-aged British men
M Walker1, A G Shaper, G Wannamethee
1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|September 1, 1988
Summary
British men born between 1919 and 1939 show increasing mean height. However, significant social class differences in adult height persist, with manual workers lagging behind non-manual workers.
Area of Science:
- Anthropometry
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Adult height is influenced by childhood socio-economic conditions.
- Previous studies suggest a link between social class and attained height.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trends in mean height among middle-aged British men.
- To examine the influence of social class and geographical location on adult height.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 7735 middle-aged British men across twenty-four towns.
- Comparison of mean heights between manual and non-manual social classes.
- Assessment of height variations considering age, social class, and town of residence.
Main Results:
- A progressive increase in mean height was observed for men born between 1919 and 1939.
- Significant and persistent differences in mean height existed between manual and non-manual social classes.
- Manual workers' attained height lagged approximately twenty years behind non-manual workers.
- A notable "town effect" on height remained even after accounting for social class and age.
- These social class disparities in adult height were still evident in cohorts born up to 1960.
Conclusions:
- Adult height in Great Britain reflects socio-economic disparities from childhood.
- The social class difference in attained height is a persistent issue and does not appear to be diminishing.
- Geographical location also plays a role in adult height, independent of social class and age.