Heights of Men and Women in 19th-Century Bavaria: Economic, Nutritional, and Disease Influences

We analyze heights of men and women who were imprisoned in 19th-century Bavaria. Heights were not significantly correlated by sex over time. Both men and women grew taller in milk- and potato-producing regions. Women's heights were significantly reduced by the 1840s potato crisis, tuberculosis prevalence, and illegitimate birth, none of which significantly affected men's heights. Economic factors in early childhood had more systematic influence on girls' than boys' heights and were more important than disease measures for both sexes. Conditions in the 1st year of life had greater effects on adult height than those in later years.