ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the utility of chest circumference measurements as a proxy for the socioeconomic characteristics of past populations. Our analysis is based on over 80,000 military medical examinations relating to Friuli (north-eastern Italy), recorded from 1881 to 1909. Chest circumference can be used to describe changes in standard of living, but also seasonal variations in food intakes and physical activities. The findings show the way in which these measurements are highly sensitive not only to long-term economic changes but, above all, to short-term variations in some economic and social elements, like corn prices and occupations.

摘要

本研究的目的是证明胸围测量作为过去人口社会经济特征的代表的效用。我们的分析基于 1881 年至 1909 年记录的与弗留利（意大利东北部）有关的 80,000 多次军事体检。胸围可以用来描述生活水平的变化，也可以用来描述食物摄入量和身体活动的季节性变化。研究结果表明，这些测量不仅对长期经济变化高度敏感，而且最重要的是，对玉米价格和职业等某些经济和社会因素的短期变化高度敏感。