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How the Mid-Victorians Worked, Ate and Died

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Clayton

    (School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, UK)

  • Judith Rowbotham

    (Department of History & Law, Nottingham Trent University, UK)

Abstract

Analysis of the mid-Victorian period in the U.K. reveals that life expectancy at age 5 was as good or better than exists today, and the incidence of degenerative disease was 10% of ours. Their levels of physical activity and hence calorific intakes were approximately twice ours. They had relatively little access to alcohol and tobacco; and due to their correspondingly high intake of fruits, whole grains, oily fish and vegetables, they consumed levels of micro- and phytonutrients at approximately ten times the levels considered normal today. This paper relates the nutritional status of the mid-Victorians to their freedom from degenerative disease; and extrapolates recommendations for the cost-effective improvement of public health today.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Clayton & Judith Rowbotham, 2009. "How the Mid-Victorians Worked, Ate and Died," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:6:y:2009:i:3:p:1235-1253:d:4311
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daunton, Martin, 2007. "Wealth and Welfare: An Economic and Social History of Britain 1851-1951," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198732099.
    2. McNay, K. & Humphries, J. & Klasen, S., 1998. "Death and Gender in Victorian England and Wales: Comparisons with Contemporary Developing Countries," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 9801, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    3. Colgrove, J., 2002. "The McKeown thesis: A historical controversy and its enduring influence," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 725-729.
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