Figure 1
From: Stunted growth
Mean values of historic body height. Measurements were performed in two German elite schools in 1769 (Karlsschule, Stuttgart: students from high aristocracy (N=91), bourgeoisie (N=3808), lower aristocracy (N=2590) and ‘lower’ social strata (N=1557)), in 1785 (Karlsschule, Stuttgart: students from bourgeoisie (N=806) and lower aristocracy (N=566))13, 14, 15 and in 1879 (Johanneum, Hamburg: ‘upper’ social strata (N=509)).16 The term ‘lower’ social strata of 1769 Karlsschule students was not well defined and possibly differs from a modern perception of lower social strata; the term ‘upper’ social strata of Johanneum students refers to the well-educated, wealthy urban society. Except for students from royal families, body height ranged up to 20 cm below modern WHO references.3
