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In a message dated 4/3/2005 11:48:29 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
pamtellew@... writes:

I knew a woman who was born into a family of six kids. The first three had
been born in England post WWII, during heavy food rationing. The second
three were born in the US in the 1950s and were six inches taller than the
older siblings.




----------------------

Ah!
Then maybe the plagues and wars and such things in Europe could make a
difference, too--not only in food availability but in general "failure to thrive"
ways. People probably don't enjoy the best possible digestive health when
they're sick, grieving and terrified.

Sandra


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

the_clevengers

--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
> Ah!
> Then maybe the plagues and wars and such things in Europe could
make a
> difference, too--not only in food availability but in
general "failure to thrive"
> ways. People probably don't enjoy the best possible digestive
health when
> they're sick, grieving and terrified.


Also, the "Little Ice Age" in Northern Europe in the later part of
the middle ages reduced the growing season by as much as a month in
some areas. Food production was dramatically decreased in the more
northern areas, including England.

Here's an interesting article on studies of skeletal heights from
different eras in European history:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040902090552.htm

Blue Skies,
-Robin-