Fogel on human development

In the Times, Patricia Cohen reviews a new volume by Robert Fogel and coauthors about historical patterns in nutrition, body size, and longevity. Based on material in the related working paper, it appears that they analyze new data on real wages and food available and composition in Britain during the takeoff. They call attention to improvements in nutrition starting with birth cohorts born in the middle 19th century. The book review states that the focus broadens to other countries as well.