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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore body shapes among overweight and obese men and examine fit issues based on the current ASTM sizing standards related to the categorized body shapes. Design/methodology/approach: The SizeUSA data and the additional data extracted using the ImageTwin (TC2-19) software were used. To categorize body shapes, principal component (PC) analysis with varimax rotation, hierarchical cluster analysis for an elbow method and K-mean cluster analysis were employed. Comparing the categorized body shapes and ASTM sizing charts, a cross-tabulation was performed to test associations between fit analyses for top and bottom for the body shape groups. Furthermore, an analysis of variance and pairwise comparison were performed to identify differences in mean values of size drops between two body parts across the different body shape groups. Findings: Using a three-dimensional (3D) body scanning technology and 3D virtual avatars, three body shapes for overweight and obese men emerged: Rectangle-curvy, bottom hourglass-hip tilt and top hourglass-straight shapes. Further, overweight and obese male consumers are not likely to find a perfect fit from apparel companies who developed their sizing charts based on the men's and big men's ASTM standards. Notably, the big men's ASTM sizing standard did not work for most overweight and obese men the United States. Originality/value: Despite the notable increase in the US population that is overweight and obese, most overweight and obese men have had fit problems due to the differences in their body shapes as compared to the standardized body shape used in the current sizing system. The results of this study suggest apparel companies who are targeting overweight and obese male consumers in the United States updating their sizing systems in order to solve fit problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the evolution of human body dimensions, the increasing diversity within the law enforcement workforce, the growing risks of assault faced by law enforcement officers (LEOs), and the absence of a national standard for body armor sizing, there is a critical need to explore LEO body size classification. This exploration will facilitate the development of an armor sizing structure that adequately accommodates the current LEO population. This study aimed to address this need by developing a LEO body armor sizing scheme and creating a sizing chart/app. Additionally, a plan was devised for a series of 'sizing vests' that would enhance LEO armor accommodation and facilitate fit assessment. Torso anthropometric data pertaining to body armor sizing were collected from 756 male and 218 female LEOs across different regions of the United States. Based on the collected data, a nine-size system for male LEOs and an eight-size scheme for female LEOs were suggested. Furthermore, a sizing chart/app was proposed to enable LEOs to swiftly identify an armor size that is most likely to fit an individual, considering a few anthropometric characteristics known to LEOs. To supplement the sizing chart/app, a series of 'sizing vests' were recommended. These vests would provide LEOs with a physical means to assess and determine the best-fitting armor size, offering an alternative to relying solely on the sizing chart/app. We recommend that armor manufacturers adopt these new sizing systems and create prototypes of armor that can be evaluated within this sizing structure. This evaluation process will facilitate improved fit and enhanced protection for LEOs., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences of body measurements and body shape between U.S. and Chinese young females and to examine how well national clothing sizing standards used for the apparel industry in each country meet the sizing demands of current young females. 400 Chinese females and 340 U.S. females, aging from 18 to 35, were chosen for comparison. Twenty-four critical body measurements were involved to define the differences or similarities and compare them with national sizing standards. It was found that compared with Chinese young females, U.S. young females were generally taller, heavier and had a higher percentage of Talls and much lower percentage of Petites. The three most common body types for both U.S. and Chinese young females were: spoon, bottom hourglass and hourglass, though distribution of body shape was different from each other. Body size of Chinese subjects was consistent with Chinese sizing standards, except for Arm Length and Across Shoulder. Nine body dimensions of U.S. subjects had significant differences from American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. This study could provide valuable information for standardizing organizations in their attempts to improve apparel sizing systems, as well as contributing to development of international sizing standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore actual ready-to-wear (RTW) clothing fit for African- American female college students and their satisfaction with it. Seventy-two African-American female participants volunteered for the study. Their body shapes were classified into several groups using bust, waist, and hip measurements. Fit of RTW clothing was assessed based on participants' body shapes. They were manually measured with a tape measure and were also surveyed via questionnaire to identify their actual and self-reported body shapes and examine satisfaction with clothing fit. Findings of this study demonstrated that most African-American female students tended to wear RTW tight-fitting clothing, especially around waist but did not feel uncomfortable. This result makes sense because they psychologically assume their body shapes to be an hourglass shape as shown in their self-report. However, each body shape group exhibits its discriminative satisfaction with tight-fitting clothing around bust and hips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Climate change has been occurring at unprecedented rates and its impacts on biological populations is beginning to be well documented in the literature. For many species, however, long-term records are not available, and trends have not been documented. 2. Using museum specimens from southern USA, we show that the stream-dwelling beetle Gyretes sinuatus has shown an 8% increase in body size and change in body shape (fineness ratio) from 1928 to 1988. Any directional morphological change observed over time could be an indicator of a microevolutionary response. 3. During these 60 years, there have also been changes in temperature, precipitation, and location of collection sites. Unlike the global trend, mean annual temperature in the region has decreased, and furthermore, total annual precipitation has increased. By investigating how these various ecological and geographical variables may affect body size and shape, we can examine which pressures may promote larger and/or thinner beetles. 4. Results indicate that mean annual temperature was the most predictive variable for the change in size and shape. We suggest there is an adaptive role for temperature on body size and shape of stream dwelling organisms. 5. We found that museum specimens can be invaluable resources of information when collection date and location information is available. We promote the use of such specimens for future studies of the morphological response to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of obesity is higher in African American compared to European American women. Ethnic differences in body-shape perceptions such as greater acceptance of overweight figures, higher levels of body shape satisfaction, or an underestimation of one's body-shape have been suggested as possible contributors. The purpose of this investigation was to compare body-shape perceptions and body mass index of older African American and European American women. Eighty-nine European American and 115 African American women (mean age, 72 years) completed a questionnaire, composed of three parts: general demographic and anthropometric information, and questions regarding body-shape perceptions. The results suggested an underestimation of body-shape in African American women as a possible contributor to obesity. The findings of the present study suggested that in order to enhance the effectiveness of dietary interventions in older African American women, measures to assess the accuracy of self-perceived body-shape should be included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Recent studies indicate differences between British and American white adults, and between income and ethnic groups within the United States, in the population distribution of lifestyle diseases. Differential prevalence of obesity has been suggested as a contributing factor; however, the conventional approach to categorizing obesity, body mass index, is confounded by ethnic variability in physique.Objective:To compare indices of shape between white British and American adults, and between white, African and Hispanic American adults.Design:Analysis of two large National Sizing Surveys, using identical study design and three-dimensional (3D) body-scanning instrumentation, on adults aged 17+ years from the UK (3907M and 4710F white), and from the USA (1744M and 3329F white, 709M and 1106F African and 639M and 839F Hispanic).Outcome measures:Weight, height, body circumferences.Results:In the United States, socio-economic status was associated with increasing height and decreasing waist girth in white and Hispanic, but not African Americans. Compared to white British, white Americans had larger weight and girths, especially waist girth in men. Relative to white Americans, African Americans had smaller relative waist girth, but larger thigh girth, whereas Hispanic Americans had larger relative waist girth.Conclusions:Body shape of white American adults differs from that of their UK counterparts. Within Americans, ethnic differences in body shape closely track reported differences in prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, implicating variability in central abdominal fat as a key contributing factor. 3D photonic scanning offers a novel approach for categorizing risk of the metabolic syndrome and monitoring treatment success.International Journal of Obesity (2008) 32, 152–159; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803685; published online 31 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociologist Michael Bader reviews two books, Fat Chance and What’s Wrong with Fat?, that hope to reshape the debate about obesity in America. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hand grip is a leading measure of muscle strength and general health, yet its association with body shape is not well characterized. Here, we examine correlations between grip strength, a body shape index (ABSI), and body mass index (BMI) in the 2011-2014 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cohorts. Grip strength was found to correlate negatively with ABSI (though positively with BMI), suggesting that those with a more central body profile tend to be weaker than others with the same weight. Individuals with low grip strength, as well as those with high ABSI, were more likely to die during follow up, whereas there was no association of BMI with mortality hazard. Transforming the grip strength, ABSI, and BMI by taking their logarithm prior to standardization did not meaningfully change the associations seen. These findings suggest that combining anthropometrics (ABSI, BMI) with grip strength may better identify individual mortality hazard in research studies and clinical practice.