I figured since I did a post on average penis size a little while ago, I’d even things out and do one on average breast size. I mean after all, how often do we hear about breasts in America, amirite? 
Studies of average breast size don’t appear to be standardized very well. What is considered a 34B in many Asian countries, may not be a 34B in, say, Germany – or even between companies of the same nation. In fact, a number of studies aren’t actually scientific, but rather based upon bra sales:
Lingerie manufacturers report the most common bra size sold in 1996 was a 34B. While this is not scientific data, it is supported by data from the UK which shows the most popular bra size to be 36B.
I was about to speculate on the slight discrepancy between what was sold and what was actually studied, but then I realized that I’ve never bought any lingerie or bras. I swear. So let’s just say it was chance.
In more recent studies, it was found that breast size has generally been increasing, especially in Asia:
Similar data about the increase in average breast size comes from the UK, where busts grew from 36B to 36C between 1997 and 1999. According to The Penguin Atlas of Human Sexual Behavior, breasts across Asia grew from 34A to 34C between 1980 and 2000. It seems that the average breast size is increasing around the world.
Similar but less dramatic results were found in the U.S. where cup sizes increased from B’s to C’s. Now, despite the picture of the topless woman measuring her obviously augmented bust at the previous link (don’t get too excited, it’s censored…plus you have Google available to you anyway), it clearly isn’t that implants are on the rise and thus causing an increase in overall bust size. It’s probably just that we’re all getting fat. But there are other theories:
Some fashion designers believe that the increase in average breast size is a result of the garment industry. Many clothing manufacturers inflate or deflate sizes according to the times. As all women know, different brands of shoes and clothing fit differently. There’s a big difference in a size 10 from two different companies. And as larger breasts have become more fashionable, possibly C cups have been getting smaller so more women can be proud to have a larger than average size.
The governor of Maine may even be contributing to larger breasts:
A final, and far more terrifying, explanation is that of excessive estrogens in the environment. Due to industrial pollution and widespread use of oral contraceptives, there are high levels of estrogens found in water in many places. In some rivers, fish are dying out because there’s so much estrogen in the water that all the fish are born female. In this scenario, average breast size is growing due to this hormonal pollution.
As all Mainers – and Comedy Central viewers – know, Gov. LePage recently said BPA containing bottles have been known to release estrogen. He believes this will give women beards. Of course, he isn’t well-versed in science, so let’s ignore him there. But let’s not ignore there could be a multitude of factors contributing to increased bust sizes.
From what I can gather, it looks like the general consensus for American breast size is in the C range, usually 36C. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this number increase with time, especially since we aren’t doing much about the continuing obesity epidemic. But fear not insecure women out there, for large breasts are not necessarily nice breasts, nor even desired breasts. Given that the average among thin people is probably significantly less than the overall average, my guess is that most guys, on a simply physical basis, would prefer a woman with a smaller cup size if that meant that she would also be in better shape. In other words, there’s no need to be insecure about breast size. Just be insecure about waist size, is all. I’m sure that has never caused anyone any anxiety anyway, right?
Filed under: Misc | Tagged: Average breast size, Bazongas, Boobs, Bra size, Breast implants, Breast size, Cup size, fat, Lara Croft, Obesity | 12 Comments »
