The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women
Objectives: Increases in breast size with age are common but have not been widely examined as a factor that could affect the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between breast size and aspects of health and psychological...
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2020-05-01
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506520918335 |
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doaj-fe7f9eee0c3740e09d17ec5ec475a07a2020-11-25T03:49:55ZengSAGE PublishingWomen's Health1745-50652020-05-011610.1177/1745506520918335The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged womenLinda SpencerRobyn FaryLeanda McKennaAngela JacquesJennifer LalorKathy BriffaObjectives: Increases in breast size with age are common but have not been widely examined as a factor that could affect the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of mature-aged women (⩾40 years). Breast size (breast size score) was determined from self-reported bra size and was examined against health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 and BREAST-Q), body satisfaction (numerical rating scale), breast satisfaction (BREAST-Q), physical activity levels (Human Activity Profile), the presence of upper back pain and breast and bra fit perceptions. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine women (40–85 years) with bra band sizes ranging from 8 to 26 and bra cup sizes from A to HH participated. The mean (standard deviation) breast size score of 7.7 (2.7) was equivalent to a bra size of 14DD. Increasing breast size was associated with significantly lower breast-related physical wellbeing ( p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.043) and lower ratings of body ( p = 0.002, R 2 = 0.024) and breast satisfaction ( p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.065). Women with larger breasts were more likely to be embarrassed by their breasts (odds ratio: 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.31 to 1.70); more likely to desire a change in their breasts (odds ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 1.75) and less likely to be satisfied with their bra fit (odds ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.76 to 0.92). Breast size in addition to age contributed to explaining upper back pain. For each one-size increase in breast size score, women were 13% more likely to report the presence of upper back pain. Conclusion: Larger breast sizes have a small but significant negative relationship with breast-related physical wellbeing, body and breast satisfaction. Larger breasts are associated with a greater likelihood of upper back pain. Clinicians considering ways to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women should be aware of these relationships.https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506520918335 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Linda Spencer Robyn Fary Leanda McKenna Angela Jacques Jennifer Lalor Kathy Briffa |
spellingShingle |
Linda Spencer Robyn Fary Leanda McKenna Angela Jacques Jennifer Lalor Kathy Briffa The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women Women's Health |
author_facet |
Linda Spencer Robyn Fary Leanda McKenna Angela Jacques Jennifer Lalor Kathy Briffa |
author_sort |
Linda Spencer |
title |
The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women |
title_short |
The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women |
title_full |
The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women |
title_fullStr |
The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women |
title_full_unstemmed |
The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women |
title_sort |
relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women |
publisher |
SAGE Publishing |
series |
Women's Health |
issn |
1745-5065 |
publishDate |
2020-05-01 |
description |
Objectives: Increases in breast size with age are common but have not been widely examined as a factor that could affect the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of mature-aged women (⩾40 years). Breast size (breast size score) was determined from self-reported bra size and was examined against health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 and BREAST-Q), body satisfaction (numerical rating scale), breast satisfaction (BREAST-Q), physical activity levels (Human Activity Profile), the presence of upper back pain and breast and bra fit perceptions. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine women (40–85 years) with bra band sizes ranging from 8 to 26 and bra cup sizes from A to HH participated. The mean (standard deviation) breast size score of 7.7 (2.7) was equivalent to a bra size of 14DD. Increasing breast size was associated with significantly lower breast-related physical wellbeing ( p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.043) and lower ratings of body ( p = 0.002, R 2 = 0.024) and breast satisfaction ( p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.065). Women with larger breasts were more likely to be embarrassed by their breasts (odds ratio: 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.31 to 1.70); more likely to desire a change in their breasts (odds ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 1.75) and less likely to be satisfied with their bra fit (odds ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.76 to 0.92). Breast size in addition to age contributed to explaining upper back pain. For each one-size increase in breast size score, women were 13% more likely to report the presence of upper back pain. Conclusion: Larger breast sizes have a small but significant negative relationship with breast-related physical wellbeing, body and breast satisfaction. Larger breasts are associated with a greater likelihood of upper back pain. Clinicians considering ways to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women should be aware of these relationships. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506520918335 |
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