Posted on 11/23/2004 3:23:33 PM PST by swilhelm73
THE average Australian woman is a size 16 and weighs 8kg heavier than her American counterpart, according to authoritive new international research.
Australian men are also 3kg heavier than American males, the joint study by the University of Adelaide and US researchers shows.
The findings were recently presented at the American Standards and Testing Materials Conference and obtained exclusively by The Sunday Telegraph.
They contradict the widely held view that the United States is the world's most overweight country and they have led the Australian Medical Association to warn: "We are eating ourselves to death."
Women are now two dress sizes larger than they were in the 1960s, the National Size and Shape survey of 60 body dimensions of 1400 Australians, showed.
AMA vice president Dr Bill Glasson said the report highlighted the growing obesity problem.
"The average Australian thinks that Americans are bigger but our country faces a huge problem," Dr Glasson said.
"We are not getting enough exercise.
"People don't have to be skinny but obesity and the cost of subsequent diseases to our health system is huge."
Australian women are 5cm bigger around the bust, 8cm larger around the waist and 4cm wider on the hips than American women.
Australian men are 3kg heavier than their American counterparts, with a chest circumference that is 6cm larger and a waist circumference 2cm wider.
Fashion analyst Daisy Veitch said the findings reveal a flaw in the clothing industry.
About 50 per cent of Australian women do not fit into the clothes sold in mainstream stores.
"Women in Australia have difficulty finding clothes that fit properly," she said.
"The new Australian figure is pear-shaped and less slimlined than it was 20 to 80 years ago.
"Manufacturers are basing their clothes on old standards, not on today's women's curvy shape."
Lucy Dunwell from Frenchs Forest is a size 16: the shape of the new average Australian female.
But the 19-year-old model for the Biggals agency said she had trouble buying clothes that fit her figure.
"Often there are not many clothes in my size; most stop at size 14," Dunwell said.
"Shopping can get frustrating, especially when there are dresses I like that only come in smaller sizes."
The Australian survey was conducted over a six-month period in 2002.
The anatomical science team at the University of Adelaide then spent two years analysing and collating the body dimension data.
The same method of measuring body dimensions was used in the American study of 4000 people.
The results will be published in the international scientific journal, Journal of Human Ecology.
University of Adelaide head of anatomical science, Professor Maciej Henneberg said the survey results showed Australia was a nation of "healthy, cheerful, size 16 women".
"Australian women are heavier than American women by a few kilos, but it's not a major concern," Prof Henneberg said.
"I think the reason is there is a socio-economic difference. On average Australians are more affluent than Americans.
"The survey showed one third of women are obese and there is concern over this. However, size 16 women are happy and healthy."
"On average Australians are more affluent than Americans. "
When did this happen? They must have taxed themselves into riches...amazing.
Well, how tall is the average Aussie female? Without that stat the info's worthless.
It's Bush's fault.
WE must accept the fact that muscle is heavier than fat.
Since I started working out 18 months ago, I've put on 10 pounds!
Looks like Australia,not the UK,will be our biggest ally in the future.
We are both loud,fat,Christian,and capitalistic. LOL.
There's a business opportunity if I ever saw one.
Crocs like 'em that way.
Vegamite!
It is good to know that G_d has blessed another nation on this planet with so much abundance that overeating is a problem. About 70% of the earth's population wishes it had that same problem.
"Well, how tall is the average Aussie female? Without that stat the info's worthless."
My guess would be right around the American avg of 5'4".
I like big butts and I cannot lie!!!
Well, if she's a size 16 and 5'4", yup, she's got a problem.
"Australian women are 5cm bigger around the bust, 8cm larger around the waist and 4cm wider on the hips than American women."
32" - 29" - 40"
Their sizes are different from ours, though.
I think a 16 is about a 12 here? Trying to find a chart...
It's the Vegemite.
Oh more of the British/internationalist system...
Meat Pies. Gawd those delicious meat pies! mmmmm
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