CAUSES OF SHORT STATURE AMONG COAL-MINING CHILDREN, 1823-1850

Variation in human stature is regarded as an indicator of the nutritio nal status and the standard of living of historical populations. Howev er, children employed in coal mining, although well fed and possessing a robust physical development, were shorter than their working-class contemporaries. This article presents anthropometric evidence taken in I84I relating to children in different occupations. It suggests that the short stature of coal-mining children was linked to occupational s election for height together with other, discrete, environmental facto rs. It concludes that historical records of human stature may have bee n affected by occupational influences unconnected with conventionally defined measures of welfare.