Age-associated statural loss and socioeconomic status

Association between socioeconomic score (SES) and age-related statural loss were investigated in a cross-sectional sample of 718 adults from rural Colombia. Estimates of statural aging were calculated by estimating the maximum statural attainment of each subject from statural relationships with subischial length. Statural loss was correlated with SES, r=-0.06 (not significant) for men, and r=-0.14 (p less than 0.01) for women. Subjects with a high SES tended to lose stature at a slower rate than those with a low SES. For women, the difference in rates of statural loss between the low SES groups was significant (p less than 0.05).