"Forget the sizes we use now," Bernat Soria, the health minister, said last week, adding, "We are moving toward a new system, which I hope will better reflect women's real measurements."

The yearlong study used laser beams to measure more than 10,000 women aged from 12 to 70. It found that 4 out of 10 had trouble finding clothes that fit them.

Women: Height (inches): 63.8 Weight (pounds): 163 Waist circumference (inches): 36.5...

Abdominal fat and insulin resistance in normal and overweight women: Direct measurements reveal a strong relationship in subjects at both low and high risk of NIDDM.

Taking your Measurements Use the guides below to find your measurements. ... Do the same to the waist curve. Chest Measure Like the bust measurements.

Department of Agriculture, Women's Measurements for Garment and Pattern Construction, Miscellaneous Publication No. 454, Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., 1941.

Validation of dietary history method in a group of elderly women using measurements of total energy expenditure.

Abdominal fat and insulin resistance in normal and overweight women: Direct measurements reveal a strong relationship in subjects at both low and high risk of NIDDM...

Validity and reproducibility of resting metabolic rate measurements in rural Bangladeshi women: comparison of measurements obtained by Medgem™ and by Deltatrac™ device...

How to find your size - Women, from your About.com Guide ... What you'll need - A cloth tape measure and a full length mirror. Take measurements undressed or in lightweight clothes.