Younger, Healthier Women Are More Fertile (Public Health Network)
Slimness Signifies Youth, Health, and Greater Fertility
Why do men generally prefer slender women? A British study reveals this stems from the subconscious belief that slimness equates to youth, health, stronger survival capabilities, and greater fertility.
A mathematical model developed by a research team led by Professor John Spickman of the University of Aberdeen indicates that women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 24 and 24.8 are perceived as having the most attractive figures.
Researchers showed 21 cards depicting female body silhouettes of varying weights to over 1,300 men and women from 10 countries, including the UK, asking them to rank the figures by attractiveness. The results revealed that the thinnest silhouette—corresponding to a BMI of approximately 19—was rated most attractive, while higher BMIs were perceived as less appealing.
Why did this result differ from the mathematical model's prediction? Researchers explained that the model only accounted for factors like obesity levels, life expectancy, and fertility, but not age. When participants estimated the age of the figures on the cards, they assigned older ages to heavier silhouettes.
After incorporating age, the model calculations showed women with a BMI between 17 and 20 were most attractive—aligning with the card-viewing experiment. This BMI corresponds to a figure like Angelina Jolie's.