Optimum body-mass index and maximum sexual attractiveness.

waist/hip ratio accounted for only 1·8%. Waist/hip ratio correlated poorly with attractiveness, whereas even small changes in body-mass index radically altered the attractiveness rating (see figure). Further analyses included other bodyshape dimensions, including waist/bust ratio (upper-body shape), bust/hip ratio (degree to which the body has “hourglass” shape), and the leg length/torso length ratio. None of these contributed significantly to attractiveness ratings more than body-mass index and waist/hip ratio alone. Previous studies have asked participants to rate line drawings of female figures with various waist/hip ratios. Such studies have, however, failed to control for the alteration in apparent body-mass index with narrower or wide waists. With images of real women, body-mass index and waist/hip ratio are known and their effects can be estimated separately. In these conditions, body-mass index emerges as the major factor in determining sexual attractiveness, since it is a good predictor of health and reproductive potential.