There is a large amount of size 6 and size 8 celebrities currently promoting a range of fitness DVD's which suggest that any dress size greater than them is considered to be overweight. However depending on your height; a dress size 12 is considered to be within a healthy BMI range.
US size 12–14 is usually considered “Large” and some brands do start “plus sizes” at 12.
Available in sizes: X Small, Small, Medium, Large & XL As a guide:X Small:UK Size 6-8 (34")Small: UK Size 8-10 (36")Medium: UK Size 10-12 (38")Large: UK Size 12-14 (40")X Large: UK Size 14-16.
23 to 27.4 – you're in the overweight range. 27.5 or above – you're in the obese range.
I think it's sometimes easy for a vision of "healthy" to get skewed. With vanity sizing, it's easy to be overweight and a size 12. Last summer I was getting towards the top of the healthy BMI for my height, when I hit 10st 12 at 5ft 6.
Australian fashion houses have expanded the measurements of the average size 12 item of clothing so it fits women with a waistline of 88cm, which is considered obese.
However depending on your height; a dress size 12 is considered to be within a healthy BMI range. The study also showed that those who feel overweight have negative thoughts at least five times a day, regarding their current size.
Measuring overweight and obesity
BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. A BMI of 25.0–29.9 is classified as overweight but not obese, while a BMI of 30.0 or over is classified as obese. A BMI of greater than 35.0 is classified as severely obese.
Size 14-16 is the average size of the Australian woman.
Overweight children fall between the 85th and 95th percentile, and obese children have a BMI equal to or greater than the 95th percentile. A healthy weight for a 12-year-old girl, therefore, can generally fall anywhere between 65 and 120 pounds.
The average Australian woman was 161.8 cm tall and weighed 71.1 kg. On average, Australians are growing taller and heavier over time.
In standard women's clothing sizes, Size 10 is considered “Medium”. A woman who is 4′ 10″ or less and wears size 10 Petite clothing would likely be considered overweight.
under 18.5kg/m2 – you are considered underweight and possibly malnourished.
Overweight and obesity
Tasmania had the highest rate of adults who were overweight or obese (70.9%), compared with Australian Capital Territory (64.0%) who had the lowest.
In the US clothing industry, sizes 14 and above are typically considered “plus size,” though not everyone who falls into that range identifies or agrees with the term.