Explaining Stunting in Nineteenth Century France
The Economic History Review, Vol. 63, No. 2, pp. 315-334, May 2010
Posted: 30 Apr 2010
Date Written: May 1, 2010
Abstract
We examine the share of French men with stunted growth during the nineteenth century using data on potential conscripts into the army. The share of stunted men (height below 1.62 meters) in France’s 82 departments declines dramatically across the century, especially in the south and in the west. Our models examine the role of education expenditures, health care personnel, local wages, asset distribution, as well as a dummy variable for Paris as determinants of stunting, and decompose changes over time into the effects of levels and returns to covariates. All covariates are strongly significant, with education spending being particularly important. Living in congested Paris contributed to poor health status.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation