Reviews the evidence on early-industrial height cycles and shows why the economic transition put downward pressure on the nutritional status of the European and American populations.

Examines the height of German youth in the late eighteenth century, and documents the very large differences in height between the lower and upper classes. Shows that the height of the upper class did not decline at the end of the 18th century as did that of the common men.

Abstract: Examines the Physical Stature of The elite students attending the École Polytechnique military academy in the Early Nineteenth century. Concludes that their height was some 7 cm greater than that of average French youth their age.

Examines the Physical Stature of The elite students attending the École Polytechnique military academy in the Early Nineteenth century. Concludes that their height was some 7 cm greater than that of average French youth their age.

Examines the height of Georgian convicts and concludes that their height declined beginning with the birth cohorts of 1835. The economic transition brought about a decline in their nutritional status.

Examines the height of German youth in the late eighteenth century, and documents the very large differences in height between the lower and upper classes. Shows that the height of the upper class did not decline at the end of the 18th century as did that of the common men.