Size NorthAmerica – children systematically measured for the first time

A wide range of products is manufactured especially for children, from clothing and vehicle child seats to bicycles and furniture. However, it is surprising that only a few countries have carried out representative measurement surveys that also took children into account.

The children’s tables used in North America only refer to data taken from the years 1930 and 1970, so for the first time Size NorthAmerica specifically measured children between the ages of 6 and 17 – and as in the case of the adults, the results have shown that the existing sizes system does not match our latest measurement survey results, which provide a representative and up-to-date picture of the world of sizing & fitting in children.

The children’s average BMI also showed a significant increase – in the age group of 14 to 17 year-olds, it is already above 22 – and consequently in the overweight range according to the WHO definition. Size NorthAmerica participants also completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, which showed that lack of exercise is the main reason behind this change in the BMI – while 56.5 percent of children and adolescents stated that they were active in sports, only 38.2 percent of adults still exercise regularly.