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Nineteenth Century US Black and White Physical Activity and Nutritional Trends among the Working Class

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  • Scott A. Carson

Abstract

Much has been written about 19th century African American and white statures and body mass index values. However, little is known about their physical activity and calories required to sustain height and weight. This paper considers two alternative measures for biological conditions that address physical activity and available calories: basal metabolic rate and energy accounting. African-Americans had greater BMRs and required more calories per day than whites. Farmers and unskilled workers were in better physical condition and required more calories per day than workers in white-collar and skilled occupations. Nineteenth century BMRs and calories were greater in rural locations where greater physical activity was required and more calories were available.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott A. Carson, 2012. "Nineteenth Century US Black and White Physical Activity and Nutritional Trends among the Working Class," CESifo Working Paper Series 3890, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_3890
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    File URL: https://www.cesifo.org/DocDL/cesifo1_wp3890.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    nutrition; energy accounting; Basal Metabolic Rate; US economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General
    • Q19 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Other
    • N11 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N51 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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