Tuesday, May 22, 2007

EUROPEANS TALLER ON AVERAGE
Bad Health Care, Deficient Welfare Keep Americans Short

For years, researchers have been wondering why Americans stopped growing. US citizens were among the tallest in the world up until World War II. But since then, heights have stagnated while Europeans have been getting taller and taller, with the average American now between two and six centimeters shorter.

(snip)

A new study published in the current issue of the Social Science Quarterly by researchers from Princeton University in the US and the University of Munich in Germany indicates that the difference may have to do more with politics than biology.

Specifically, the study, which involved the statistical analysis of demographic and health data collected between 1959 and 2002, concludes that the spotty US health-care system and weak welfare net could explain why Americans have stopped growing.

"We surmise that the health systems and high degree of social security in Europe provide better conditions for growth than the American health system, despite the fact that the system costs twice as much," said study co-author John Komlos from the University of Munich in a statement. "There are also indications that American diets are deficient in several areas."



This and having read earlier today this, THEN listening to fTucker NOT understand how someone who has to live on $3 a day of pasta and bread can still be "hungry"?

This country is full of morons.

I'm a HUGE penny pincher. I know what $3 a day can buy you. And it's STARCH, SUGAR AND SALT. Your body can STARVE to death on that crap.

Nutrients? We don't need no stinkin' nutrients.

5 Comments:

At 11:15 PM, Blogger Paddy said...

Si.

 
At 4:16 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do republicans hate tall people, poor people, and pretty much every child that is no longer a fetus?

 
At 6:24 AM, Blogger The Math Skeptic said...

kajc said...

Why do republicans hate tall people, poor people, and pretty much every child that is no longer a fetus?

4:16 AM


They're all capable of independent thought?

Just a guess...

 
At 7:49 AM, Blogger ohdave said...

You guys might take a look at Congressman Tim Ryan's blog; he is currently trying to live on $3 a day (the average food stamp payout) to see how it can be done. Ryan is one of Ohio's great young Democrats.

Also Lisa Renee of Glass City Jungle is doing an on-line project about the issue as well. I don't have the links handy, but they are at my site on last Friday's Best of Ohio piece. Scroll down a little and you'll find it.

 
At 9:47 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

In my single mommy past I have had to use food stamps. It is virtually impossible to provide fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. $3 dollars will buy one lb of hamburger and a box of mac and cheese OR one head of lettuce or bagged salad and a tomato or two. Now if you have a couple of kids that are hungry, what are you going to buy?

Produce is cheaper at farmer's markets, but not to many take the "family first" cards.

I got lucky being in rural Maine where every other neighbor had a garden and we had wild blueberries in the yard. So my beautiful daughter is now a healthy, glowing 5'8" 27 y/o.

 

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