The CAESAR study (Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource) is a survey of body measurements for people ages 18-65 in three countries: USA, The Netherlands, and Italy. It is a collaborative effort with partners from several countries and many industries. It employs the latest in 3D measurement technology, and is the first 3D surface anthropometry survey of the US and Europe. Data from the study will allow us to effectively design everything from better fitting clothes and protective equipment to better seats and workstations, as well as dramatically reducing the cost to design and manufacture them.
Robinette et al. (2003) studied this question.