Researchers look for accurate picture of human body dimensions

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Ever wished for more leg room in coach class, or a little more give in the waistband of a pair of pants? An ongoing study of western populations may help address these kinds of complaints -- and give health professionals a better picture of the changing human shape.

Thousands of people across North America and Europe are taking part in an international measuring project known as CAESAR, for Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource.

Using tape measures, calipers and sophisticated computer scanners, researchers in Italy, the Netherlands and 12 North American cities are compiling 3-dimensional models of real people -- including everything from the spread of their pupils to the length of their arms and inseams.

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Learn more about the CAESAR in the United States And in the Netherlands

"The historic data indicate we were getting taller until about the mid-1970s," said researcher Kathleen Robinette of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. "Now we don't seem to be getting taller, but we do seem to be getting fatter."

The researchers say they're striving for an accurate portrait of the western population. They chose to survey in the United States because the U.S. has the largest and most diverse population. The Netherlands was picked because its people are the tallest in Europe, and Italy was chosen because its people are among the shortest.

The U.S. Air Force started the project 15 years ago to help develop better designs for military equipment such as airplane cockpits, oxygen masks and night-vision goggles. NATO countries soon joined the project.

Now corporate sponsors are participating, too. Airplane manufacturer Boeing, Ford Motor Company and clothing maker Levi Strauss are among those taking part.

Volunteers are asked questions about their clothing size, car use, and occupation. Then the measuring begins. Measurements are taken while seated (the position most used by the vehicle manufacturers) and while standing (the position most used by clothing manufacturers).

The results could help manufacturers standardize sizes and make their products more comfortable.

That should be welcome news to the millions of consumers who feel cramped, pinched, stretched or otherwise bent out of shape by ill-fitting clothes and equipment.

CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen contributed to this report.

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