The great transformation: a long-run perspective on physical well-being in Canada.
During the 19th century the physical stature of the Canadian-born stagnated or declined slightly in spite of a substantial increase in income. Stature varied regionally within Canada. The Quebec population was especially short; men in the Atlantic coastal region were taller than their low incomes would lead us to expect. Heights increased dramatically in the 20th Century. The pattern of long-run change is consistent with evidence of age-specific mortality and with the relationship between income and physical well-being envisaged by Preston [Preston, S., 1975. The changing relationship between mortality and the level of economic development. Popul. Stud. 29, 231-248]. The transition from stagnant or declining stature to secular increase points to a dramatic shift ca. 1900 in the evolution of the physical standard of living in Canada.
Cranfield
John
J
Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Inwood
Kris
K
D000328:Adult; D047831:American Civil War; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000266:history*; D001827:Body Height; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D019352:Censuses; D003710:Demography; D005843:Geography; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000266:history; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000266:history / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009026:Mortality; D011329:Prisoners / Q000266:history / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D047828:World War I; D047789:World War II