Physique and family variables in university girls in Britain

Abstract

In a large sample of girls admitted to the University of Warwick, 1971–81, physique, as measured by height, weight, and ponderal index, was examined in relation to family variables and socioeconomic class. Not only do girls of different social classes enter the university at different average ages, but also the family size from which they come varies. There are differences between social classes in mean height, and the secular trend to increasing height continues.