Body Type Calculator

Things  you shouldn’t miss to note  on Body Type Calculator

A Body Type Calculator is a tool designed to help determine the most suitable outfits for different body types, particularly for females. It considers various measurements to provide an overall assessment of the body's condition, making it a relatively close indicator of health.

When using the calculator, females must stand straight with their arms at their sides. The tape should be snugly placed against the body to ensure accurate measurements, neither too loose nor too tight.

The calculator considers the following measurements:

1. Bust: This is the circumference around the chest over the breasts, typically measured when selecting the right bra.

2. Waist: It is a small circumference measured around the waist, just above the waistline.

3. Above Size: This measurement is taken above the pelvic region, specifically the circumference of the upper swell of the hip area. It is typically measured 7 inches below the waist.

4. Hip Size: The largest circumference measured around the hips, specifically the largest part of the buttocks.
   
   

The fashion industry categorizes female body types into four main categories:

1. Apple or Inverted Triangle: This body type is characterized by broad shoulders wider than the bust or hips.

2. Banana or Rectangle: The waist is less than 9 inches in this body shape, making it smaller than the hips or waist.

3. Pear, Spoon, or Triangle: This body type has a larger hip area than the bust size, creating a distinct curve.

4. Hourglass or X Shape: The hourglass figure is considered the ideal body type, with equal bust and hip sizes and a narrow waist.

According to a North Carolina State University study, approximately 46% of women have a banana-shaped body, 20% have a pear-shaped body, 14% have an apple-shaped body, and 8% have an hourglass-shaped body. However, these percentages may vary over time.

Determining your body shape involves subjective judgments based on societal standards. The calculator utilizes an algorithm published in the International Journal of Clothing Science, which breaks down the female body into seven categories. It is crucial to remember that considerable distinctions and variations within each group exist and that some body types could not cleanly fit into any category.

The body type categories determined by the calculator are as follows:

1. Hourglass: (Bust - Hips) ≤ 1" and (Hips - Bust) < 3.6" and (Bust - Waist) ≥ 9". An hourglass figure signifies a well-balanced shape with a proportional bust, hips, and a defined waist.

2. Below Hourglass: (Hips - Bust) ≥ 3.6" and (Hips - Bust) < 10" and (Hips - Waist) ≥ 9 and (High Hip/Waist) < 1.193. This body type features a well-defined waist and noticeably larger hips than the bust, creating a balanced and attractive look.

3. Above Hourglass: (Bust - Hips) > 1" and (Bust - Hips) ≥ 7 and (Bust - Waist) ≥ 9". A top hourglass figure has a defined waist and a bust size noticeably larger than the hips, emphasizing the upper body.

4. Spoon or Pear: (Hips - Bust) > 2" and (Hips - Waist) ≥ 7 and (High Hip/Waist) ≥ 1.193. The spoon body shape has significantly larger hips than the bust, creating a curvy and voluptuous appearance with a well-defined waist.

5. Triangle Shape: (Hips - Bust) ≥ 3.6" and (Hips - Waist) < 9". The triangle

 Body shape features wider hips than shoulders, creating a silhouette that resembles a triangle or pear shape. The waist needs to be more well-defined in this body type.

6. Inverted Triangle or Apple: (Bust - Hips) ≥ 3.6 and (Bust - Waist) < 9". The inverted triangle body shape is characterized by a larger upper body, broad shoulders, and bust, with a subtle waist and slim hips.

7. Rectangle Shape: (Hips - Bust) < 3.6" and (Bust - Hips) < 3.6" and (Bust - Waist) < 9" and (Hips - Waist) < 10. The rectangle body shape has similar hips, waist, and bust measurements, creating a straight-up-and-down silhouette commonly associated with an athletic appearance.

In addition to using body type calculators, the Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) can also help determine body types. The WHR is calculated by dividing the waist circumference by the hip circumference. For instance, if a person has a waist measurement of 34 inches and a hip measurement of 40 inches, the WHR would be 34/40.

The waist-hip ratio is an indicator of certain health issues. Research and studies suggest that individuals with more weight around their waist or apple-shaped bodies are at a higher risk for certain health conditions than those with pear-shaped bodies.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a WHR above 0.8 for women and 0.9 for men indicates a higher risk due to fat distribution.

WHR is also used to measure obesity, with the World Health Organization (WHO) defining women with a WHR above 0.90 and men with a WHR above 0.85 as obese, corresponding to a body mass index (BMI) above 30.

Diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension are just a few of the illnesses that obesity is linked to. WHR is thought to be a better indicator of cardiovascular problems and is regarded to be a more accurate predictor of mortality for people over 75.

According to research by Yusuf S et al., there is a suggestion to redefine obesity based on WHR rather than BMI, which would increase the proportion of individuals classified as obese threefold.

Abdominal fat, commonly found in apple-shaped bodies, poses a higher risk than peripheral fat. A higher WHR indicates more abdominal fat, and using a Body Fat Calculator can provide insights into the types of fat and associated risks.

WHR has also been linked to fertility. Optimal values differ for males and females, with women having a WHR above 0.80 associated with lower fertility rates than those with a WHR of 0.79 or below. Men with a WHR of 0.9 have been found to have higher fertility rates and a lower likelihood of prostate and testicular issues.

In addition to health risks and conditions, WHR has also been studied concerning cognitive ability and attractiveness. It has been used to measure women's attractiveness based on the food consumed in their diets.

Body type calculators and the Waist Hip Ratio can help determine body types, identify health risks, and suggest appropriate clothing choices. However, it's essential to remember that these tools offer general guidelines, and every individual has unique variations within each body type. For personalized guidance, consulting a healthcare professional or a stylist is recommended.

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