The evolution of adult height in Europe: a brief note

Econ Hum Biol. 2007 Jul;5(2):340-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ehb.2007.02.002. Epub 2007 Mar 1.

Abstract

This paper presents new evidence on the evolution of adult height in 10 European countries for cohorts born between 1950 and 1980 using the European Community Household Panel (ECHP), which collects height data from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Our findings show a gradual increase in adult height across all countries. However, countries from Southern Europe (Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) experienced greater gains in stature than those located in Northern Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and Sweden).

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthropometry*
  • Body Height*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Developed Countries / economics
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Health Transition
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors