Are inequalities in height underestimated by adult social position? Effects of changing social structure and height selection in a cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate whether changing social structure and social mobility related to height generate (inflate) inequalities in height.

Design

Longitudinal 1958 British birth cohort study.

Setting

England, Scotland, and Wales.

Participants

10 176 people born 3-9 March 1958 for whom data were available at age 33 years.

Main outcome measures

Adult height and social class at age 33 years; class of origin (father's occupation when participant was 7 years old).

Results

Adult height showed a social gradient with class at age 7 years and age 33 years. The difference in mean height between extreme groups was greater for class of origin than for adult class, reducing from 2.21 cm to 1.62 cm for men and from 2.18 cm to 1.74 cm for women. This narrowing

SUBMITTER: Power C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC117229 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature