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Between the Great War and the Great Depression: preliminary observations on the ‘missing link’ in the history of human stature in Poland

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  • Kopczyński, Michał

Abstract

The paper traces the secular trend in stature in Poland in the interwar period. On the basis of individual measuring cards created by military authorities for Krosno and Sarny districts, the author states that the secular trend in stature that started in the mid-1860s continued between the two world wars with the velocity of at least 0.7 cm per decade, i.e. at a similar rate as in the second half of the 19th century. Although regional differences inside the Second Polish Republic were clearly visible, cohorts born during the Great War were able to make up the lost ground in their teens despite the hardships caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Suggested Citation

  • Kopczyński, Michał, 2019. "Between the Great War and the Great Depression: preliminary observations on the ‘missing link’ in the history of human stature in Poland," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 162-168.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:34:y:2019:i:c:p:162-168
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2019.01.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Stature; Anthropometric history; Poland; Secular trend;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-

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