Hostname: page-component-77f85d65b8-t6st2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-04-20T10:48:47.037Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

THE PHYSICAL STATURE OF MEN IN 19TH-CENTURY CHILE: ANOTHER CASE OF STAGNATION DURING AN EXPORT BOOM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 December 2018

Manuel Llorca-Jaña
Affiliation:
Universidad de Santiago de Chile
Juan Navarrete-Montalvo
Affiliation:
Universidad de Santiago de Chile
Roberto Araya-Valenzuela
Affiliation:
Universidad de Santiago de Chile
Federico Droller
Affiliation:
Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Abstract

This article provides the first series of adult male height for 19th-century Chile. Our aim was not only to assess the trends indicated by height during this period, but also the relationship between stature and both GDP per capita and exports. Having analysed our data, our primary conclusion is that there was a reduction in height for cohorts born in the 1850s and 1860s with respect to cohorts born between 1820 and 1840. Height stagnated thereafter, with small to no improvement towards the end of the 19th century, in line with other Latin American countries for which there is comparable evidence. The increase in per capita GDP and exports during the second half of the century did not result in better biological welfare, as was the case in other Latin American countries during similar export booms.

Resumen

Este artículo entrega las primeras series de estatura en adultos hombres para Chile en el siglo XIX. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar las tendencias mostradas por este indicador durante este periodo, así como su relación con el PIB per cápita y las exportaciones. Habiendo analizado nuestros datos, nuestras conclusiones principales son las siguientes: hubo una reducción en la estatura para los nacidos en las décadas de 1850 y 1860, con respecto a los nacidos en 1820–1849. Posteriormente, la estatura se estancó, un resultado en línea con lo que ocurrió en otros países latinoamericanos para los que existe evidencia. El aumento en las exportaciones y el producto per cápita de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX no se tradujo en un mejor bienestar biológico en Chile, y lo mismo habría ocurrido en otros países latinoamericanos durante similares booms exportadores.

Information

Type
Articles/Artículos
Copyright
Copyright © Instituto Figuerola, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable