London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bromley 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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Table VII. (Boys).
| Inches. | Height in inches. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1939. | 1943. | |
| 49—55 | 17.1 per cent. | 8.2 per cent. |
| 55¼—61 | 73 „ | 78.2 „ |
| 61¼—71 | 9.8 „ | 13.6 „ |
| Lbs. | ||
| 1939. | 1943. | |
| 55¼—75 | 21.2 per cent. | 17.0 per cent. |
| 75¼—95 | 60.6 „ | 70.7 „ |
| 95¼—120 | 18.2 „ | 12.0 „ |
Table VIII. (Girls).
| Inches. | Height in inches. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1939. | 1943. | |
| 49—55 | 12.6 per cent. | 8.4 per cent. |
| 55¼—63 | 78.5 „ | 78.9 „ |
| 63¼—71 | 8.8 „ | 12.6 „ |
| Lbs. | ||
| 1939. | 1943. | |
| 50—75 | 22.3 per cent. | 16.8 per cent. |
| 75¼—100 | 59.2 „ | 55.0 „ |
| 100¼—120 | 18.4 „ | 28.2 „ |
Comments.
When we first study the Table VII of the boys, we see that
of the boys in 1943 regarding height, 8.2 per cent. are in the
lower group, compared with 17.1 per cent. investigated in 1939.
In the medium group are 78.2 per cent. in 1943, compared with
73 Per cent in 1939; in the higher group are 13.3 per cent. in
1943 against 9.8 per cent. in 1939.
Regarding weight, from the boys investigated in 1943, 17
per cent. are in the lower group compared with 21 per cent. in
1939: in the medium group are 70.7 per cent. in 1943, compared
with 60.6 per cent. in 1939 ; in the higher group are 12.2 per
cent. in 1943 against 18.2 per cent. in 1939.
From these figures we can infer that the boys investigated
in 1943 have definitely improved in height and weight compared
with the boys investigated in 1939. That there are fewer
boys in the higher group of weight in 1943 is, in my opinion,
a favourable sign, as it indicates that less boys are overfed.
One might object that the difference in age may have
influenced these results, as the average age of the boys in 1943