The study included data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addition to measuring over 5,500 American women over the age of 20.
In spite of these facts, the majority of shops continue to classify sizes larger than 16 as “plus size.”
Purchasing clothing might be difficult for the “average woman,” as most people haven’t kept up with the changes in women’s bodies in America and abroad.
“I hate clothes shopping,” said Tina Price-Johnson, 44, who is an “average” size of 16 or 18. She has been on medication due to a disability for the last 33 years, which has affected her ability to exercise and lose weight through diet.
Price-Johnson is just one of the millions of women who feel like they were “failed” by stores and get anxious about not being able to locate clothes that fit.
“[Shopping for clothes] causes anxiety and exacerbates my clinical depression if I am on a downward trajectory. Not only does the clothing store stock discriminate against able-bodied women of size, it also discriminates against disabled people whose size may be due to disability,” she added.
