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The Weight of Inequality: Variation with Industrialization and Wealth

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  • Scott A. Carson

Abstract

When other economic measurements are scarce or unreliable, height and the body mass index (BMI) are now well accepted measures for cumulative and current net nutrition. However, as the ratio of weight to height, BMI is the ratio of current to cumulative net nutrition, therefore, does not fully isolate changes in current net nutrition. This study uses weight after controlling for height as a measure for current net nutrition and shows that US black and white weights decreased throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were higher in the South, and for farmers and unskilled workers. Like stature and BMI, 19th century weight was higher in states with greater average wealth and population density and lower in states with greater wealth inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott A. Carson, 2015. "The Weight of Inequality: Variation with Industrialization and Wealth," CESifo Working Paper Series 5629, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_5629
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    File URL: https://www.cesifo.org/DocDL/cesifo1_wp5629.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    weight; current net nutrition; wealth; inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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