The hips and bust are almost of equal size with a narrow waist.[19] Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips, and rear before other parts, such as the waist and upper abdomen.
A study of the shapes of over 6,000 women, carried out by researchers at the North Carolina State University circa 2005,[24] found that 46% were rectangular, just over 20% spoon, just under 14% inverted triangle, and 8% hourglass.[19] Another study has found "that the average woman's waistline had expanded by six inches since the 1950s" and that women in 2004 were taller and had bigger busts and hips than those of the 1950s.[19]
Several variants of the above coding systems exist:[25]