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Ethnic Groups and Anthropometric Differences in Colombia

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  • Karina Acosta
  • Adolfo Meisel

Abstract

Using data from the 2010 Colombia Demographic and Health Survey and of the National Survey of the Nutritional Situation in Colombia (ENDS-ENSIN), we analyzed the evolution of the height for the Colombian birth cohorts in the period 1946-1992 by ethnic groups defined through self-classification. We find that there are statistically significant differences in height between the ethnic groups considered. Those who identified themselves as Afrocolombians have greater average height than the indigenous group and are also taller than those who don’t identify themselves as belonging to either of these two groups. This latter category was denominated in the survey as others. We also find that the height gap between afros and others became smaller during the time period under study. Moreover, the results suggest that the Colombian indigenous group has a higher potential for growth in ‘biological well-being’ if their socioeconomic status improves.

Suggested Citation

  • Karina Acosta & Adolfo Meisel, 2012. "Ethnic Groups and Anthropometric Differences in Colombia," Borradores de Economia 731, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdr:borrec:731
    DOI: 10.32468/be.731
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karina Acosta Ordoñez, 2012. "La desnutrición en los primeros años de vida: Un análisis regional para Colombia," Documentos de trabajo sobre Economía Regional y Urbana 160, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    2. Galvis-Aponte, Luis Armando & Meisel-Roca, Adolfo, 2011. "Persistencia de las desigualdades regionales en Colombia : un análisis espacial," Chapters, in: Bonilla-Mejía, Leonardo (ed.), Dimensión regional de las desigualdades en Colombia, chapter 1, pages 3-32, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    3. Romero-Prieto, Julio Enrique, 2011. "Educación, calidad de vida y otras desventajas económicas de los indígenas en Colombia," Chapters, in: Bonilla-Mejía, Leonardo (ed.), Dimensión regional de las desigualdades en Colombia, chapter 5, pages 167-206, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    4. Adolfo Meisel & Margarita Vega, 2005. "The Stature of the Colombian Elite Before the Onset of Industrialization, 1870-1919," Borradores de Economia 339, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    5. Monasterio, Leonardo M & Noguerol, Luiz Paulo, 2005. "Growth and inequalities of height in Brazil (1939-1981)," MPRA Paper 769, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Steckel, Richard H., 2009. "Heights and human welfare: Recent developments and new directions," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 1-23, January.
    7. Komlos, John, 2010. "The recent decline in the height of African-American women," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 58-66, March.
    8. Meisel, Adolfo & Vega, Margarita, 2007. "The biological standard of living (and its convergence) in Colombia, 1870-2003: A tropical success story," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 100-122, March.
    9. Richard H. Steckel, 1995. "Stature and the Standard of Living," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 33(4), pages 1903-1940, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Anthropometry; ethnicity; biological well-being.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • N36 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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