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Nineteenth century African-American and white US statures: the primary sources of vitamin D and their relationship with height

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Journal of Bioeconomics Aims and scope

Abstract

Vitamin D is vital in all vertebrates because it allows them to absorb more calcium from their diets, contributing to stronger skeletal systems, and taller statures. Using a source of 19th century US state prison records, this study contrasts the statures of comparable African-Americans and whites by the primary sources of vitamin D production: time exposed to solar radiation, skin pigmentation, and nativity. Greater insolation (sunlight) is documented here to be associated with taller black and white statures, and a considerable share of the stature differential by socioeconomic status was related to insolation.

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  1. University of Texas, Permian Basin, 4901 East University, Odessa, TX, 79762, USA

    Scott Alan Carson

  2. University of Munich, CESifo, Shackstrasse 4, 80539, Munich, Germany

    Scott Alan Carson

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Correspondence to Scott Alan Carson.

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Carson, S.A. Nineteenth century African-American and white US statures: the primary sources of vitamin D and their relationship with height. J Bioecon 13, 1–15 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-010-9096-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-010-9096-3

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