A survey involving experts from Loughborough University has revealed changes in the average body shape of children over the past 20 years.

The results of Shape GB, the first ever national sizing survey to use 3D body scanners to measure children, were published yesterday (Thursday).

The part publicly funded study into the shape of children aged four to 17 involved universities, major high street retailers and specialists in 3D measurement.

Design ergonomics experts at Loughborough used the University's specialist three-dimensional scanning facilities to accurately measure children from the local community, as part of the project.

The University's Dr Russell Marshall, of Loughborough Design School, said: "Previous size data available for children was at least 20 years old and so we were very pleased to be able to collaborate in the Shape GB sizing survey and ultimately contribute to the development of more user-driven products."

The survey provides a clear understanding of the changing shape of the nation's children. The last time this information was gathered was in 1990.

Since then, clothing retailers have used customer feedback and internal fittings to improve their own measurements.

Shape GB data now provides the industry with a new benchmark and insight into children's size and shape.

The data shows that height and weight of children has increased gradually over the last two decades and this has led to a change in size and shape.

When comparing the data for 11-year-old boys and girls, chest, waist and hips have all increased. There are significant changes in body shape for children. Many retailers assume that boys and girls have the same body shape up to the age of seven, but Shape GB now concludes that changes in body shape between boys and girls occur at a much earlier age.

The data also suggests that retailers need to reflect increases in height in their labelling, as many currently label a five-year-old boy as being an average height of 110cm.  Shape GB calculates the average height of a five-year-old boy at 115cm, suggesting that many parents are being forced to 'buy up' to get clothes that will fit their children properly.  

Over an 18-month period from March 2009 to August 2010, more than 2,500 children aged four to 17 were scanned at 12 locations across England, Scotland and Wales.

The 3D scanners collated nearly 200 measurements automatically in six seconds for each child, creating a robust 3D data set never previously available.

Four sponsoring retailers - Next, Monsoon, Shop Direct and George at Asda - are using the Shape GB data set to design future clothing ranges.

A spokesperson for Next said: "Shape GB gives us invaluable up-to-date information on the size of our children and provides us with new information on shape, which cannot be collected manually. We are now able to use this information for sizing and labelling to ensure the best possible fit for children and their parents.''

Other retailers are now able to obtain the data, which may ultimately create and harmonise measurement standards, both in this country and in Europe.

The new data also offers opportunities for further insight and development on body shape for sports scientists and for healthcare.

The other collaborating organisations in the UK on Shape GB were: Aston University, George at ASDA, University of Hull, University of Hertfordshire, Manchester Metropolitan University, Monsoon, Next, Select Research and Shop Direct Group.