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7
HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS
The figures of average heights and weights are recorded in
Appendix B. 2. For some years, it has given me satisfaction to
comment that children are taller and heavier than formerly and
to quote this evidence as proof of better feeding and general
care. Some observers now assert, however, that far from having
improved the health of children, our efforts have resulted only
in hastening maturity and may eventually shorten their lives.
Fortunately, the history of science is comforting in that gloomy
forecasts, which seem contrary to common sense, have generally
proved wrong. The pattern of our national diet is no doubt capable
of much improvement. That children would tend to grow bigger if
adequately fed seems, however, a result to be anticipated and
accepted as being to their advantage.
I am not aware that underfeeding of the young has ever been
associated with subsequent longevity. It may well be that in
adult life, restrictions on total intake and avoidance of certain
foods are beneficial. With the evidence so far available, I
think we are justified in continuing to meet to a reasonable
degree, the keen appetites of active growing children. There is
probably a developing need to watch for unnecessary obesity, to
enquire regarding possible causes and to warn against the establishment
of a habit of overeating.