Using 3D Body Scan Measurement Data and Body Shape Assessment to Build Anthropometric Profiles of Tween Girls

Abstract

Tween girls, especially plus sizes, have reported having difficulty finding appropriately sized clothing due to apparel sizing which is incongruous with their body size. As these adolescents progress through puberty, care needs to be taken in pattern development to reflect age-related changes in body shape and measurements. The purpose of this research was to construct anthropometric profiles of normal and plus size tween girls ages 9-14. The sample’s mean heights, weights, and body measurements were compared to a seminal children’s study from which current sizing standards were derived. The sample heights and weights were also compared to those specified as the 50th percentile for age by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2008). The sample’s height and weight measurement means were higher than both the 1941 study and the CDC 50th percentiles and the body measurement means for the sample were predominately higher. The scans were categorized by year of age and divided by Body Mass Index (BMI) into normal and plus then visually analyzed to determine whole and component body shape incidence using the Body Shape Assessment Scale© (BSAS©) (Connell et al., 2006), and mean body measurements were compared. Normal size tweens were most often an hourglass shape; plus size tweens more often exhibited the rectangle shape. Bust prominence increased linearly with age for both size groups, with plus size girls frequently showing more prominence at an earlier age. Buttocks prominence showed no age-related pattern. The --Y´D¡ torso shape was the most common shape for the entire sample. As expected, tweens’ grew taller and heavier at every age; their body measurements usually increased linearly with age. Calculated coefficients of determination for the normal and plus size resulted in linear growth slopes that were similar. Some larger changes between ages appeared to possibly be concurrent with expected pubertal changes. Plus size girls in this sample were enough larger than the normal size girls to need adult sizing in circumference but not length. Normal size girls appeared to more easily fit into existing options for tween sizing.