Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide basic data reflecting body characteristics for production of briefs by classifying lower body types of women in their 40s, 50s and 60s. The results are as follows: First, measurements for height-related items decreased while the measurements for width and depth items increased with age. However, 'hip width' and 'hip depth' items showed no significant differences among the age groups. In addition, no visible differences appeared in the length items among the age groups but 'waist to hip' and 'outside leg' lengths showed decreasing values according to age. Second, four factors were established from the factor analysis: 'obesity level around waist and abdomen', 'vertical length of the lower body', 'thickness and obesity level of lower limbs', and, 'size and shape of buttocks'. Lastly, cluster analysis resulted in the classification of the four factors mentioned above. Type 2 appeared the most, representing women in their 40s~60s. Type 1(n=257) was referred as 'slender with a short lower body', Type 2(n=443) as 'plump with short lower body', Type 3(n=224) as 'slender with long lower body', and Type 4(n=199) as 'obese around abdomen and lower limbs'.
