Height and Weight in Germany, Evidence from the German Socio-Economic Panel, 2002

Abstract:     
This paper examines the socio-economic variation in height and weight using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. Results reinforce previous research insofar as height is associated with socio-economic differences. For example, a low maternal schooling level or a lower position in the income distribution is negatively correlated with the height of West Germans. Furthermore, there is a west-east and a north-south gradient in height in Germany. BMI is also determined by individuals' characteristics with similar underlying patterns. That is, in both West and East Germany, women with low income and low education have a higher BMI whereas the better educated women weigh less.

Keywords: Biological standard of living, Height, Weight, Obesity, Anthropometrics, Germany, German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), Physical stature, Body mass index (BMI)

JEL Classification: D69, I12, J19

Accepted Paper Series