I'd love to see a really empirical study on BMI and health / longevity.
My suspicion is that the better of kids who experienced wartime deprivation might be living longer. But factoring in acute social deprivation, smoking, disease, multiple pregnancies and industrial illnesses are important to consider when theorising about whole populations.
Wealthy women were taller,had bigger feet (look closely in a footwear museum - I know I have!) hence a bigger pelvic girdle and better prospects of a healthy birth......
But suspicions are not empirical.
I perceive a need to mention poor brown people in a favourable light, to wind up the usual suspects, but as I'm all chilled out in Amsterdam I can't be r-sed.
This is a good thread with possibilities to address and reflect on the terrible ills besetting our kids. Jourdain- hugs for your neice and for you. Size? Some may recall the fame and following of 'two ton Tessie O'Shea'.