What Matters Most In Women’s Bodies? Apparently, Abdominal Depth, Study
Christopher Philip
Women’s bodies have been study, scrutinized and worshiped since the beginning of time. But what exactly goes into the perfect human female body?
Researchers led by James Rilling, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, found that abdominal depth defined as the body size located at the navel to the lower back (can be seen from the side-view) , as well as waist circumference were the strongest predictors of attractiveness. In fact, they found that they were even stronger than overall body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).
According to the researchers, “Women with shallow abdominal depth and small waist circumference are more likely to be healthy and nonpregnant, suggesting that this may be an adaptive male preference that has been shaped by natural selection.”
Additionally, abdominal depth is associated with higher estrogen levels. Postmenopausal women treated with estrogen have reported a decrease in abdominal fat. Thus abdominal depth can give others a clue to relevant reproductive markers such as estrogen levels.
The results did not find, however, that estrogen levels were correlated to attractiveness, though no account was made for the cycle phase of the women. It’s known that women receive a spike of estrogen at around their mid-cycle ovulation. Had there been such a measure, it may have found that overall estrogen levels were higher in the more attractive women.
Overall leg length was also consistent predictor of attractiveness. This is a likely signal to proper nutrition and good health at around prepubertal growth in which leg length in girls begin to accelerate.
Men and women were both in general agreement about their ratings of attractiveness in the female figures.
It is interesting that in only 2 out of the 43 female volunteers who served as stimulus for the material scored higher than a 6 out of 10 with the average just 4.9. The women were Emory University students aged 18-24 and the subjects were specifically instructed to use the full range from 1 to 10.
According to the researchers, “One possible explanation is that women are perceived as less attractive when devoid of flattering clothing and accessories as in our study.”
“Another possibility is that despite instructions to the contrary, participants’ assessments of attractiveness are influenced by frequent exposure to unusually attractive images of the female body presented in the media.”
For the current sample, the waist circumference was several centimeters larger than the Miss America pageant as well as Playboy centerfolds (69.1 cm versus 60.8 cm and 59.1 cm respectively).
“A final possibility is that our modern lifestyle, often characterized by overeating and limited physical activity, results in bodies that are not as well conditioned and, consequently, not as aesthetically pleasing as those of our ancestors throughout
most of human evolution.”
An interesting proposition!
Summary Of The Findings
The results showed that abdominal depth and waist circumference were the strongest predictors of attractiveness in female bodies. In fact, even stronger than BMI or WHR.
Leg length was also a positive predictor of attractiveness.
Women and men both tended to rate attractiveness similarly.
Raters, overall, did not score the women much higher than 5 out of a possible 10, even for the most attractive. This suggests that there is a wide open niche to exploit for attracting the best male suitors for the most ambitious of girls willing to work their way into the gap.
Research
Riling, James K.; Torrey L. Kaufmana; E.O. Smitha; Rajan Patele and Carol M. Worthmana. Abdominal Depth and Waist Circumference as Influential Determinants of Human Female Attractiveness. Evolution and Human Behavior. 2019. 30:21-31.