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Height and body mass index (BMI) of all non-immigrant schoolchildren in Stockholm in the age interval 10.0-10.9 years born in 1981 were related to the mother's educational level and the number of siblings. The two social variables were dichotomized and two extreme groups of socially more and less privileged children were formed. Socially less privileged boys were 1.1 cm shorter than their more privileged peers, whereas there was no difference as regards girls. Socially less privileged children were expected to show higher BMI, but the finding was contrary. More privileged boys were heavier. The findings were compared to a previous study of Stockholm children born in 1933-1963. Major social inequalities in height were levelled out for Stockholm children in the 1950s, a social gap reappeared in the 1960s and small disparities still exist for boys today.

Monitoring the height and weight of school children is a standard procedure in Nordic schools. These data are used for individual assessments of health and for the development and revision of growth standards. Growth data born previous Nordic studies are analysed. Secular charges in height and weight are described. The usefulness of height as an indicator of social inequality is discussed. The mean height of 10 year old Nordic children increased about 1 cm per decade since the 1930s. There were considerable differences in children's mean height among the five Nordic countries and among children of different socio-economic conditions. The studies of height and weight of Nordic school children differ too much in design to allow closer analyses. Systematic time series studies of growth data from the school health service to assess secular changes in growth and changes of social inequalities are desirable.

Based on a representative sample of Stockholm schoolchildren born in 1943, the association between the height at 10 years of age and the selection to higher and lower education at the same age was examined for upper and lower social groups defined by the father's occupational status. The hypothesis that there is a link between height and change of social position even among children was examined. Upwardly mobile boys (lower class boys selected for higher education) were taller than those staying in their social position. Downwardly mobile boys (higher class boys selected only for elementary education) were smaller than those remaining in their social position. The same tendency was found for girls - although not statistically significant.

Category: Research

Subject: Health promotion: Essential dimensions, services and educational needs

Author: Lars Cernerud, MD, MPH, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Caring and Public Health Sciences, Mälardalen University, PO Box 883, SE-721 23 Västerås, Sweden

Title: Salutogenic effects of music

Objective: The objective was to explore salutogenic effects of singing in choir.

Introduction: There is evidence for endocrinological, neurological, physiological, psychological and sociological influence of music on human health. Music used in medical therapy is proportionately well described and established. However, the salutogenic effects of music on human well being need scrutiny. Listening to music, practicing music and creating music are means by which music may act salutogenic. Practisers may sing or use instruments alone (as soloists) or in group (choir or orchestra). In the present study members of church choirs were asked about self perceived benefits and disadvantages for health by singing in choir.

Results: There was a strong agreement about the enhancing effects on well being among the choir singers. Joy, stimulation, concentration and relaxation were common experiences. The choir was also denoted as a retreat for feelings, creative work and social community. The church choir members also highlighted some negative (non-salutogenic) aspects of singing in choir, which are worthwhile to go deeper into for analysis and discussion.

Discussion and Conclusion: In this study the psychological and sociological aspects of practising music in group were obvious. Actually the answers might also have been received from i.e. members of the church sewing association. However, the members of the church choirs have one thing in common, the love of singing church music together and the feelings evoked by it. This makes them stick together and experience salutogenic feelings. There are examples of nations under occupation where a strong culture of singing in choir helps citizens to stand the hardship and survive mentally.

Keywords: Salutogenic factors, Music, Singing, Choir