Health, Nutrition and Inequality in Latin America

Drawing on anthropometric data, this book examines the evolution of biological living standards of Latin American populations and evaluates the inequality of nutrition and health in the region in the modern era. Utilizing data from the 19th and 20th centuries, and providing broad coverage of Latin America, the chapters analyze the following topics: the evolution of stature before and after independence; the effects of economic modernization since the 1870s and 1880s, that were accompanied by profound political, demographic, epidemiological and environmental changes that affected biological well-being of the population; the trend and evolution of anthropometric measures associated with nutritional, demographic and epidemiological transitions; the prevalence of malnutrition associated with stunting and obesity in traditional and modern societies, both rural and urban; the reduction or expansion of regional, social, income and educational differences in biological living standards as measured by mean heights; and the evolution of stature sexual dimorphism and the comparative importance of nutritional inequality by race and gender. The book highlights, on the one hand, the importance of anthropometric indicators to analyze living standards and human well-being in historical perspective and, on the other hand, the value of an interdisciplinary approach in examining questions of human growth and biological wellbeing. The book will be of great interests to readers in economic history, Latin American history and studies, and the history of inequality and living standards.