London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Walthamstow 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
This page requires JavaScript
40
Malnutrition.—Taking into account the present deplorable
state of unemployment as well as overcrowding, with its accompanying
difficulties re baths, fresh air, etc., the general physique
of our School Children is well maintained as shown by the following
tables:—
5. REVIEW OF THE FACTS DISCLOSED BY
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
| Age. | Average Height (inches). | Average Weight (pounds). | Anthropometric Height. | Standard Weight. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys. | 5—6 | 42.5 | 39.5 | 40.44 | 37.74 |
| 8—9 | 48 | 55 | 46.94 | 49.95 | |
| 12-13 | 56 | 73 | 55.48 | 73.86 | |
| 5—6 | 41 | 40 | 40.44 | 37.74 | |
| 8—9 | 46.5 | 52 | 46.94 | 49.95 | |
| 12—13 | 57.75 | 76 | 55.48 | 73.86 | |
| Girls. | |||||
| 5—6 | 41.5 | 39.5 | 40.68 | 36.68 | |
| 8—9 | 48.5 | 54 | 47.39 | 52.05 | |
| 12—13 | 55.75 | 75 | 54.88 | 72.66 | |
| 5—6 | 41 | 31 | 40.68 | 36.68 | |
| 8—9 | 48 | 52.75 | 47.39 | 52.05 | |
| 12—13 | 55.75 | 75.5 | 54.88 | 72.66 | |
A—Represents a school serving clean area.
B—One whose children are largely drawn from poor homes in mean streets.
ENTRANTS.
| Clothing. | Footgear. | Nutrition. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory. | Unsatisfactory. | Satisfactory. | Unsatisfactory. | Excellent. | Normal. | ||
| per cent. | per cent. | per cent. | per cent. | per cent. | per cent. | ||
| A | Girls | 100 | — | 100 | — | 10 | 90 |
| B | Girls | 100 | - | 100 | — | 40 | 60 |
| A | Boys | 89 | 11 | 94 | 6 | 21 | 79 |
| B | Boys | 97 | 3 | 97 | 3 | 48 | 52 |
| INTERMEDIATE. | |||||||
| A | Girls | 100 | — | 100 | — | 17 | 83 |
| B | Girls | 94 | 6 | 93 | 7 | 50 | 50 |
| A | Boys | 100 | — | 100 | — | 27 | 73 |
| B | Boys | 80 | 20 | 81 | 19 | 30 | 70 |
| LEAVERS. | |||||||
| A | Girls | 98 | 2 | 97 | 3 | 46 | 54 |
| B | Girls | 95 | 5 | 96 | 4 | 66 | 34 |
| A | Boys | 100 | — | 100 | — | 60 | 40 |
| B | Boys | 86 | 14 | 85 | 15 | 68 | 32 |