WHILE you might have worried about your shape and size when you were younger, most women have learnt not to compare their boobs to others.
But have you ever wondered how your cup size ranks – compared to other countries?
The UK ranked fifth in terms of cup size globally – following Nordic countries and the US
If you have, a team of researchers have gone to the trouble of working that out by ranking average breast sizes across the world.
They used data on bra sizes to determine the size of women’s knockers.
According to the statistics, women in Norway topped the chart with an average cup size of C-D.
Luxembourg, Iceland and the US took up the next three spots, with C-cup sized boobs.
And women in the UK ranked fifth, again with a C-cup average.
Meanwhile, women in Vietnam had the smallest boobs according to researchers’ analysis, with a AA average.
The Germany-based research team compiled the dataset by combing through surveys on cup sizes from more than 80 countries.
As six different bra size systems are used worldwide, they converted them into US sizing to allow for comparison between nations.
The researchers from worlddata.info also collected information on the the average body mass index (BMI) for women in each country and found that countries with a larger BMI average also had correspondingly larger breast sizes.
“Overall, it is striking that increased breast sizes often occur in countries where obesity is also a problem,” the team wrote.
They added: “The female breast consists to a large extent of fatty tissue and glands. The shape of the breasts also depends not only on genetic factors, but also on the fat content and composition of the connective tissue.”
When analysing why there were such striking variations between boob sizes across different countries, researchers determined it must be down to genetics and climate.
“In particularly hot regions, the body consumes far greater amounts of energy to cool itself and keep the body’s functions in balance,” the study authors explained.
“The breast consists for the most part of fatty tissue, i.e., the body’s own energy store. If the energy is quickly withdrawn from the body, no fat tissue can form.”
Finally, researchers noted that in many cases, the size of women’s bra cups had little to do with the actual size of their boobs.
“The most common reason for this is that women often wear a bra that is too small with a correspondingly larger chest band,” they explained.
Researchers noted that in poorer countries, women might not be access a bra that fits them due to financial reasons.
Whereas in “more developed countries, women are more likely to use the services of specialist shops”, resulting in better bra fits.
It comes after scientists cracked the formula for what makes the ideal set of knockers, by analysing the characteristics of breasts most valued by plastic surgery patients and the general public.
And GP Philippa Kaye recently put together an ultimate breast guide for The Sun, from how both men and women can find lumps and bumps in their boobs, to how your ta-tas can change throughout your life.
How can I check my own boobs for lumps?
Everybody’s boobs are different in terms of size, shape and consistency.
One of your breasts can be bigger than the other, and the way they feel could change at different times of the month.
For example, you might have tender and lumpy breasts, especially near the armpit, around the time of your period.
And after the menopause, they might feel softer, less firm and not as lumpy.
The NHS recommends you get used to these changes so you can recognise when something doesn’t look or feel normal for you.
You should look at your boobs and feel each one, from your armpit up to your collarbone.
You may find it easiest to do this in the shower or bath, by running a soapy hand over each breast.
You should:
feel around the breast in a circular motion
feel under your arm
feel behind the nipple
You can also look at your breasts in the mirror. Look with your arms by your side and also with them raised.