The Changing Body: Health, Nutrition, and Human Development in the Western World since 1700

by Roderick Floud, Robert W. Fogel, Bernard Harris

Humans have become much taller and heavier, and experience healthier and longer lives than ever before in human history. However it is only recently that historians, economists, human biologists and demographers have linked the changing size, shape and capability of the human body to economic and demographic change. This fascinating and groundbreaking book presents an accessible introduction to the field of anthropometric history, surveying the causes and consequences of changes in health and mortality, diet and the disease environment in Europe and the United States since 1700. It examines how we define and measure health and nutrition as well as key issues such as whether increased longevity contributes to greater productivity or, instead, imposes burdens on society through the higher costs of healthcare and pensions. The result is a major contribution to economic and social history with important implications for today's developing world and the health trends of the future.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Economics, Anthropology, Health

456 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2011

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough mix of economics, history, nutrition, and anthropology to look at the evolution of the human body in 300 years. A huge amount of research looks at how nutrition influences economic growth and vice versa.

[Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captures a vital part of industrialization, namely that the process changed people, physically, and our increasing health and vigor is a major reason why industrialized societies produce more.