In 2003, sales of king and super-king-sized beds represented about 30 per cent of sales.TransportBritish Airways offers 78cm leg room, a 17cm increase on 1950, when the measurement was 61cm. In 1993, 20 per cent of people bought new beds that were 5ft or more wide. Although the standard double bed has remained the same size, the popularity of king and super king-sized beds has risen. As women embraced a more natural look, fabrics such as Lycra heralded a new alliance: fashion and comfort.BedsThe furniture industry has made surprisingly few concessions to our changing body shape but the bed industry is an exception. But in the 1960s, fashion evolved again, disguising any waistline change with A-line dresses and free-flowing kaftans. But, more importantly, they believe their work may assist the medical profession in understanding the extent of the obesity problem. Experts have that this is causing increased instances of diabetes and heart trouble.Andrew Crawford, of company Bodymetrics which supplies the new data, said: "With the amount of recent publicity, in particular on obesity, the interest in body mass index (a measurement based on weight and height) is huge.

I believe this data will be of huge value to the health and medical sector."WHAT A BIGGER CONSUMER MEANS FOR...FashionThe classic nipped-in waist of the 1950s, accentuated with long-line bras and girdles, was in direct contrast to the austerity of the wartime Britain. It began in June 2001.Q: Have exchanges made it easier to cheat?A: Maybe. Exchanges have agreements with governing bodies such as the Jockey Club and the ATP and provide a clear audit trail. There is no anonymity, as there can be betting in high-street shops It is, however, easier for a jockey to lose than to win.

The risk is there but it always has been.Q: Has cheating increased since exchanges started?A: Nobody knows. There does seem to be more scandal, but this could be because those who do cheat get found out. Also high-street bookmakers dislike exchanges, so blame the exchanges for any misdemeanours.Q: Are exhanges good for racing?A: Racing needs betting to survive. All bookmakers, including the exchanges, have to pay a levy based on profits (15 per cent) and without that the sport would struggle.. The hourglass has officially run out. The most comprehensive research into the shape of the nation has revealed that women's waists are six inches (16cm) wider than they were in 1951.

We are also taller but have shot up less than we have shot out The hourglass has officially run out. The resulting 1,540,000 measurements revealed that 38 per cent of women and 44 per cent of men are overweight or obese.The only previous national study - using traditional tape measures and involving only women - was conducted in 1951. While 1950s woman was just two inches (5cm) shorter at 5ft 2in (162cm), her chest and hips were 1.5in (4cm) slimmer at 37 (94cm) and 39 (99cm). But the difference in waist was four times that figure and her weight was an average of 9st 10lb (62kg) as opposed to 10st 3.5lb (65kg).Whereas size 12 was once the average, today's female is edging towards a size 16 and the classic hourglass shape is on the decline. "We were shocked by the results," said Philip Treleaven, director of the UK National Sizing Survey.