Analysis of Body Characteristics of the US Women Aged from 26 to 45 Using 3D Body Scan Data

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the anthropometric characteristics of US women 26 to 45 years of age to classify their body shapes into different categories. Research data was obtained from 2950 women 26 to 45 years of age who participated in the SizeUSA study. A 26 to 35 years of age group and a 36 to 45 years of age group were selected from the data pool. A total of 26 measurements important for body shape classification and for apparel product development was used for the data analysis. Five factors accounted for the US women’s body measurements. The body shapes of women were categorized into 4 types: Obese A-Shape, Overweight Y-Shape, Obese H-Shape, and Normal S-Shape. Normal S-Shape was the most common body shape type. More women in the 26 to 35 years of age group had Normal S-Shape type than women in the 36 to 45 years of age group. More women in the 36 to 45 years of age group had Obese A-Shape, Overweight Y-Shape, and Obese H-Shape than women in the 26 to 35 years of age group. Younger US women, 26 to 35 years of age had slimmer body sizes with more balanced body shapes; however, older US women, 36 to 45 years of age had larger body sizes with more various body shapes.