Identification of a unique African female body shape

摘要

The use of body scanning technology in sizing and fit research in developing countries is in many cases not practical considering its cost and technologies involved. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the distinctive body shapes of Kenyan women without the use of body scanners. The units of analysis were urban women between the ages of 25 and 55 from Kenya. Due to a lack of a body scanner, traditional anthropometrical techniques for obtaining body dimensions and digital photography were used as an alternative method. A trained panel and the IGRAFX Designer 5 software were used for the visual analysis of the photos. The rectangular body shape was the most distinct body shape emerging from both the dimensions and evaluations of the photographs, with the triangle body shape as the second most distinct shape, but there are distinct differences between the Kenyan and American rectangular body shapes.