Reliability of Anthropometric Reference Data for Children's Product Design

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.