Bra band size measurements derived from three-dimensional scans are not accurate in women with large, ptotic breasts

Authors

Deirdre McGhee, University of WollongongFollow
Lauren Ramsay, University of Wollongong
Celeste Coltman, University of WollongongFollow
Sheridan A. Gho, University of WollongongFollow
Julie R. Steele, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

115506

Publication Details

McGhee, D. E., Ramsay, L. G., Coltman, C. E., Gho, S. A. & Steele, J. R. (2018). Bra band size measurements derived from three-dimensional scans are not accurate in women with large, ptotic breasts. Ergonomics: an international journal of research and practice in human factors and ergonomics, 61 (3), 464-472.

Abstract

This study investigated differences in standard measurements used to determine bra size, underbust chest circumference (UBCC) and over-bust chest circumference (OBCC), measured from a three-dimensional scan (hand-held scanner) compared to the direct measurement in 111 women (age 21–56 years; right breast volume 57–1672 mL; bra size 10A–18G). Bland–Altman plots of UBCC measurements showed a large positive bias and wide limits of agreement (12 cm; −4.6 to 28 cm), which increased as band size increased but decreased when the breasts were digitally removed from the scan prior to the UBCC measurement. The difference in UBCC measurements determined from scans compared to direct measurement had a strong positive correlation with breast volume and breast ptotis. The OBCC measurements showed a small positive bias (2.4 cm; −3.4 to 8.4), consistent across the range of bra sizes. Bra band size measurements determined from three-dimensional scans can be inaccurate in women with large, ptotic breasts.