Skip to main content

Reliability of Anthropometric Reference Data for Children’s Product Design

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Design for Inclusion (AHFE 2019)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 954))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 1970 Accesses

Abstract

In the United States, children’s body dimensions are significantly different from what they have been in the past. Dissatisfaction with current children’s clothing sizes and mismatched furniture are often reported in the industry. Children often show improper sitting posture in class due to mismatched sets of desks and chairs. A reliable reference for children’s anthropometric data is needed to improve children’s products’ safety, comfort, and fit in the environment. The aim of this study was to provide the most up-to-date children’s anthropometric data for 6 to 11 year-olds in the United States and examine the reliability of anthropometric reference data for children’s products. This study was conducted at Texas Tech University, one of the scan sites for a national sizing survey, Size NorthAmerica (Size NA led by Human Solutions Inc.). A total of 21 girls between the ages of 6 and 11 participated in the study with IRB approval. A set of 52 body dimensions in each child was scanned with a laser-based 3D body scanner. The measuring procedure was compatible with ASTM standard measurement definitions in accordance with ISO 8559 (garment construction and anthropometric survey) and ISO 7250 (basic human body measurements for technological design). Current children’s body dimensions were significantly different from the anthropometric reference size charts for children’s product design. Results in this study would provide insight into the need for developing reliable anthropometric reference data for children’s product design.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Shin, S.-J.H., Istook, C.L.: Sizing systems for children’s wear in the United States. In: Proceeding of International Textile & Apparel Association (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lee, J.-H., Hwang, S., Istook, C.L.: Analysis of human head shapes in the United States. Int. J. Hum. Ecol. 7(1), 77–83 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Apeagyei, P.R.: Application of 3D body scanning technology to human measurement for clothing Fit. Change 4(7), 58–68 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Shin, S.-J.H., Fowler, D., Lee, J.: Teen size study reveals indefinite figures and fit problems in junior category. In: International Textile and Apparel Association (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Parcells, C., Stommel, M., Hubbard, R.P.: Mismatch of classroom furniture and student body dimensions: empirical findings and health implications. J. Adolescent Health 24(4), 265–273 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Cotton, L.M., et al.: Mismatch of school desks and chairs by ethnicity and grade level in middle school. Work 18(3), 269–280 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Panagiotopoulou, G., et al.: Classroom furniture dimensions and anthropometric measures in primary school. Appl. Ergon. 35(2), 121–128 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Gouvali, M., Boudolos, K.: Match between school furniture dimensions and children’s anthropometry. Appl. Ergon. 37(6), 765–773 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chung, J.W., Wong, T.K.: Anthropometric evaluation for primary school furniture design. Ergonomics 50(3), 323–334 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Jayaratne, I., Fernando, D.: Ergonomics related to seating arrangements in the classroom: worst in South East Asia? The situation in Sri Lankan school children. Work 34(4), 409–420 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Van Niekerk, S.-M., et al.: The anthropometric match between high school learners of the Cape Metropole area, Western Cape, South Africa and their computer workstation at school. Appl. Ergon. 44(3), 366–371 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Castellucci, H., Arezes, P., Molenbroek, J.: Applying different equations to evaluate the level of mismatch between students and school furniture. Appl. Ergon. 45(4), 1123–1132 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Altaboli, A., Elfituri, O., Alturkey, A., Dogman, M., Almagrhi, M.: Anthropometric evaluation of the classroom desk for middle schools. In: Ahram, T., Karwowski, W., Taiar, R. (eds.) IHSED 2018. AISC, vol. 876, pp. 927–932. Springer, Cham (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02053-8_141

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Hwang, S.-J., Kim, H.-J.: A study on fitness standard sizing systems for children’s wear in the United States and South Korea. 패션과 니트 11(3), 21–32 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Van Wely, P.: Design and disease. Appl. Ergon. 1(5), 262–269 (1970)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Yeats, B.: Factors that may influence the postural health of schoolchildren (K-12). Work 9(1), 45–55 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. ASTM, ASTM D6192-11, Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Girls, Sizes 2 to 20 (Reg & Slim) and Girls Plus. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Panero, J., Zelnik, M.: Human Dimension & Interior Space: A Source Book of Design Reference Standards. Watson-Guptill, New York (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Human Solutions of North America. http://www.sizenorthamerica.com/. Accessed 11 Jan 2018

  20. CDC. BMI Percentile Calculator for Child and Teen: Results. 2018 October 22, 218 December 10 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/bmi/calculator.html

  21. USCB, DP05 - ACS demographic and housing estimates, in 2013−2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, United States Census Bureau (USCB), Editor (2017). https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_17_5YR_DP05&prodType=table

Download references

Acknowledgement

This study is associated with the project “Size NorthAmerica at Texas Tech”, which was a part of the national sizing survey “Size North America” led by the Human Solutions Inc.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Su-Jeong Hwang Shin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Shin, SJ.H., Maher, M. (2020). Reliability of Anthropometric Reference Data for Children’s Product Design. In: Di Bucchianico, G. (eds) Advances in Design for Inclusion. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 954. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20444-0_34

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20444-0_34

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-20443-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-20444-0

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics