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BIRMINGHAM, England, Apr 19, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- English researchers report children from privileged backgrounds are taller and leaner, but may be more susceptible to skeletal problems later in life.
Scientists studying childhood bone development compared the height and weight of 6,700 children from privileged and less privileged backgrounds as measured by family education, employment and housing.
They found children of better educated mothers and those living in private housing were taller and lighter on average than those with uneducated mothers or those living in public housing.
There was no relation, however, between social status and bone mass. The researchers said the longer, more slender bones of the taller could lead to a greater risk of fractures or osteoporosis in later life.
"Most conditions and diseases have some form of social pattern, with a higher risk of disease in those with lower social position," said lead researcher Dr. Emma Clark. "This opens the door to a new focus for researchers and sets us a challenge to find out why bones seem to be an exception."
The research was sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
