title: Social class and diachronic trends in physique in young university women.
abstract: In a large sample of female students admitted to the University of Warwick in the period 1971-86, physique as measured by height, weight and ponderal index was examined in relation to family variables and socioeconomic class. Stature and weight both show a secular tendency to increase, and there is no indication of any slowing of rate. The different social classes do not participate equally in these trends, in a way that is difficult to reconcile with the attribution of the diachronic changes to simple improvement in environmental conditions. Maternal competence is suggested as a possible factor in the pattern of class difference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Dann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001824:Body Constitution; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors