Which Bra Components Contribute to Incorrect Bra Fit in Women Across a Range of Breast Sizes?

Coltman, Celeste E.; Steele, Julie R.; McGhee, Deirdre E.

doi:10.1177/0887302x17743814

Cited by 26 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Breast sizes were calculated using participants’ reported bra size, and it is acknowledged that most women wear an incorrectly fitted and sized bra. 26,27,38,40 In addition, bra sizes can differ across different brands and styles of bra. 71 These factors may have led to some underestimation or overestimation of actual breast size, but in the absence of more precise self-report measures, bra sizes were chosen as a suitable surrogate for breast size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[34][35][36] Mature-aged women with large breasts consider the comfort and fit of their bra as important, 4 and how satisfied they are with their bra fit may influence their willingness to participate in physical activity. Although women with large breasts commonly wear ill-fitting bras 27,[37][38][39][40] and avoid having their bra professionally fitted, 38 it is unclear whether breast size per se contributes to these problems in mature-aged women.…”

Section: But Also Because With Advancingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Spencer

Fary

McKenna

et al. 2020

Womens Health (Lond Engl)

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Objectives: Increases in breast size with age are common but have not been widely examined as a factor that could affect the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of mature-aged women (⩾40 years). Breast size (breast size score) was determined from self-reported bra size and was examined against health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 and BREAST-Q), body satisfaction (numerical rating scale), breast satisfaction (BREAST-Q), physical activity levels (Human Activity Profile), the presence of upper back pain and breast and bra fit perceptions. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine women (40–85 years) with bra band sizes ranging from 8 to 26 and bra cup sizes from A to HH participated. The mean (standard deviation) breast size score of 7.7 (2.7) was equivalent to a bra size of 14DD. Increasing breast size was associated with significantly lower breast-related physical wellbeing ( p < 0.001, R2 = 0.043) and lower ratings of body ( p = 0.002, R2 = 0.024) and breast satisfaction ( p < 0.001, R2 = 0.065). Women with larger breasts were more likely to be embarrassed by their breasts (odds ratio: 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.31 to 1.70); more likely to desire a change in their breasts (odds ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 1.75) and less likely to be satisfied with their bra fit (odds ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.76 to 0.92). Breast size in addition to age contributed to explaining upper back pain. For each one-size increase in breast size score, women were 13% more likely to report the presence of upper back pain. Conclusion: Larger breast sizes have a small but significant negative relationship with breast-related physical wellbeing, body and breast satisfaction. Larger breasts are associated with a greater likelihood of upper back pain. Clinicians considering ways to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women should be aware of these relationships.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: But Also Because With Advancingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Spencer

Fary

McKenna

et al. 2020

Womens Health (Lond Engl)

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“…This has been speculated as a source of UBP in women with large breasts [14]. Women with large breasts commonly wear ill-fitting bras [24, 54, 55] and are considered more likely to experience UBP as a result of this [56]. The value of a correctly fitted bra has been previously demonstrated to reduce breast pain [57] and improve comfort with physical activity amongst women with large breasts [58, 59].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics

et al. 2019

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The physical characteristics of postmenopausal women that are associated with upper back pain are not well-understood. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the physical characteristics associated with presence and severity of upper back pain in healthy postmenopausal women. Self-reported upper back pain presence (within the previous month) and severity (numerical rating scale) were examined against the physical characteristics: height; weight; body mass index; breast size; breast ptosis; upper back extensor muscle endurance (isometric chest raise test); head, shoulder and upper back posture (photogrammetry); thoracic extension mobility (photogrammetry); bone mineral density (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)); body composition (DXA); and thoracic kyphosis, thoracic osteoarthritis and thoracic vertebral fracture (all radiography). A multivariable logistic regression model, adjusted for age, was built using physical characteristics with a significant univariate association with upper back pain. Censored Tobit regression, adjusted for age, was used to examine each physical characteristic against upper back pain severity. Postmenopausal women (n = 119) with a mean (SD) age of 61.4 (7.0) years participated in the study. After adjusting for age, the physical characteristics independently associated with upper back pain were: height (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31–0.79); and upper back extensor muscle endurance (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.28–0.75). This model explained 31% of the variance in upper back pain ( p <0.001). After adjusting for age, being taller and having better upper back extensor muscle endurance were associated with lower odds for upper back pain. After adjusting for age, differences in upper back pain severity were explained by upper back extensor muscle endurance ( p = <0.001) and lean mass ( p = 0.01). Conclusion: As a modifiable physical characteristic of postmenopausal women with upper back pain, upper back extensor muscle endurance is worth considering clinically.

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“…Additionally, it confirms the program cannot account for placement and shape of volume of the bust on the body, critical components of correct garment fitting. (Coltman, McGhee, & Steele 2018, Balach, Cichocka, Frydrych, & Kinsella 2020…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital to Physical Garment Development: Evaluation of Custom Avatar & Bra Development Using CLO 3D

Riewe

2022

Breaking Boundaries

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Which Bra Components Contribute to Incorrect Bra Fit in Women Across a Range of Breast Sizes?

Cited by 26 publications

References 34 publications

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics

Digital to Physical Garment Development: Evaluation of Custom Avatar & Bra Development Using CLO 3D

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