Nineteenth century US black and white physical activity and nutritional trends among the working class

Arbeitspapier

Much has been written about 19th century African American and white statures and body mass index values. However, little is known about their physical activity and calories required to sustain height and weight. This paper considers two alternative measures for biological conditions that address physical activity and available calories: basal metabolic rate and energy accounting. African-Americans had greater BMRs and required more calories per day than whites. Farmers and unskilled workers were in better physical condition and required more calories per day than workers in white-collar and skilled occupations. Nineteenth century BMRs and calories were greater in rural locations where greater physical activity was required and more calories were available.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 3890

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Agriculture: General ; Agriculture: Other ; Economic History: Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations: U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913 ; Economic History: Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Extractive Industries: U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
• Subject: nutrition ; energy accounting ; Basal Metabolic Rate ; US economic development ; Biologische Daten ; Körpergewicht ; Arbeiterklasse ; Ernährungsverhalten ; Farbige Bevölkerung ; Weiße ; USA

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Carson, Scott A.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2012

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/61045
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET