Australia uses its own numerical sizing system (e.g., 8, 10, 12, 14), which is similar to UK sizing but varies significantly between brands, meaning you often need to check specific size charts for bust, waist, and hip measurements, as there's no strict national standard for adult clothing. An AU size 8 is roughly equivalent to a US size 4, so US shoppers generally size down.
Australia uses a hybrid system: women's sizing is generally the same as the US, while men's sizing is typically the same as the UK, though this can vary by brand, so always check a brand's specific size guide. For women's shoes, AU and US sizes are often identical (e.g., AU 8 = US 8). For men, an AU size usually converts to a UK size (e.g., AU 9 = UK 9), but US men's sizes are often a size larger than AU/UK sizes (e.g., AU/UK 9 = US 10).
In Australia, a size 12 is generally considered a "straight" or "missy" size, falling within average ranges, but due to vanity sizing and inconsistent measurements across brands, it can represent different body sizes; health-wise, a larger waist (over 88cm for women) is a risk factor, and the actual average Australian woman is now closer to a size 16-18, meaning a size 12 is smaller than average, though "fat" is a subjective term related to body image and health metrics like BMI, not just a single number.
An Australian size 38 (AUS 38) typically corresponds to a European size 38 (EU 38) for clothing, which is often a women's size Small (S) or a men's size in the 38-inch waist, but for shoes, an AUS 38 is around a US 7-7.5 or EU 38, depending on the brand and whether it's men's or women's sizing.
A size 38 is typically a Men's Medium (M), corresponding to a 38-40 inch chest for shirts, but can sometimes lean towards a Small (S) or even a Large (L) depending on the brand and if it's for women or men, so always check the specific brand's size chart.
Australia, which is both a country and a continent, covers an area of about 7.69 million square kilometers (2.97 million square miles). Europe, on the other hand, covers an area of about 10.18 million square kilometers (3.93 million square miles) if you include the European part of Russia.
14 is probably in the overweight category (depending on height obviously) and is not slim. It's not unhealthily overweight but by no means does it classify as slim!
The country with the highest adult obesity rate is typically one of the Pacific Island nations, with Nauru often cited as number one, followed closely by American Samoa, Tokelau, and the Cook Islands, with rates exceeding 69% of the adult population. These island nations in Oceania consistently rank highest due to complex factors like diet changes and genetic predispositions.
The US is two sizes smaller. Meaning if you are a 10 in an Australia size you are a 6 in a US size . If you are an 8 in an Aus size you are a 4 in a US size. However, a "small" Aus is the same as a "small" US.
Your Australian (AU) size is the same as the UK size. If you are unsure of your size, you can measure your foot length with our guide to determine what your size should be. See how to measure your feet below.
Good news: for women's shoes, AU and US sizes are the same.
A 34-inch waist generally translates to an Australian (AU) size 14 (for women, around 80-87cm) or a size 16 (if using inch sizing directly in AU), while for men it's often an AU Large or size 34 in men's specific sizing, but always check brand charts as women's sizes vary from 28-30 inch waists to size 14/16 and men's 32-34 inch waists are often Large.
Body Shapes with the Highest Risk of Health Problems
Apple and pear body shapes tend to have the highest risk. Apples tend to be at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and strokes because they hold a larger amount of tummy fat.
Whether 80kg (176 lbs) is "heavy" for a woman depends on her height, body composition (muscle vs. fat), and frame, as Body Mass Index (BMI) can categorize it as overweight or obese for shorter women but might be healthy for taller individuals with significant muscle mass, though a BMI over 30 (obesity) is generally considered unhealthy for most. A single number doesn't define health; factors like fitness level, strength, and body shape matter more than just weight.
People today are taller, on average, than their ancestors were 100 years ago. This is true for every country in the world.
Prevalence of obesity in the Australian population. As of 2022 it was estimated that 26% of children and 66% of adults were overweight or obese. Among adults, obesity was estimated at 32%, whilst "severe obesity" (BMI >35) was estimated at 13%.
Australia is MUCH bigger than Germany
Australia stretches across nearly 7.7 million square kilometres, making it the sixth biggest country in the world. Germany, in comparison, takes up only 350,000 square kilometres – and can thus fit into Australia 22 times.
Although some nine-tenths of Australia's population is of European ancestry, more than one-fifth is foreign-born, and there is a small but important (and growing) Aboriginal population. Of those born overseas, about half were born in Europe, though by far the largest proportion of those came from the United Kingdom.
At about 3 million square miles (7.7 million square km), Australia is the smallest continent on Earth. In fact, it's closer in size to Greenland than it is to South America.