Adult body height as a mediator between early-life conditions and socio-economic status:The case of the Dutch Potato Famine, 1846–1847

Adult body height appears to be a relatively accurate summary variable of early-life exposures’ influence on health, and may be a useful indicator of health in populations where more traditional health-related indicators are lacking. In particular, previous studies have shown a strong, positive relationship between environmental conditions in early life (particularly nutritional availability and the disease environment)and adult height. Research has also demonstrated positive associations between height and socioeconomic status. We therefore hypothesize that height mediates the relationship be... Mehr ...