Physical stature of men in eighteenth century Mexico: Evidence from Puebla

We present a first glimpse of the mean height of men in eighteenth century Mexico based on evidence from the Revillagigedo Census of 1791-1792. Mexican men were shorter than those of Europe and North America. For example, contemporary French men were about 165 cm and US men were about 174 cm; in contrast, Mexican men were about 162 cm. Men of higher income were taller than those in the middle and lower income strata. Mestizos (a mix of whites and Indians) were shorter than the rest of the recruits belonging to other ethnic categories.

► We present mean height of men in Mexico based on the Revillagigedo Census of 1791-1792. ► Mexican men were shorter than those of Europe and North America. ► Men of higher income were taller than those in the middle and lower income strata. ► Mestizos were shorter than recruits belonging to other ethnic categories.