The biological standard of living in Suriname, c. 1870-1975.
The physical stature of Surinamese soldiers is estimated to have increased by more than 3cm between 1870 and 1909. In the subsequent four decades, the increase in adult male and female height amounted to 0.3-0.5cm and 0.9-1.0cm per decade, respectively. This increase in height continued and accelerated during the second half of the twentieth century. Height increase among African and Hindustani Surinamese males and females was similar. Height differences between African and Hindustani Surinamese were therefore fairly constant over time, at 4-5cm. Other indicators of nutritional and health status, such as infant mortality, showed continuous improvement, whereas per capita calorie and protein availability improved in the twentieth century.
International Institute of Social History, Cruquiusweg 31, 1019 AT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: hans.de.beer@iisg.nl.
Hans
H
de Beer
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D001827:Body Height; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history*; D006304:Health Status; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013532:Suriname / Q000453:epidemiology
D004044:Dietary Proteins
Anthropometry; Health; Nutrition; Standard of living; Suriname