Abdominal depth and waist circumference as influential determinants of human female attractiveness

Rilling, James K.; Kaufman, Torrey L.; Smith, E.O.; Patel, Rajan; Worthman, Carol M.

doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2008.08.007

« Previous Next »Evolution & Human Behavior
Volume 30, Issue 1 , Pages 21-31, January 2009

Abdominal depth and waist circumference as influential determinants of human female attractiveness☆

James K. Rilling
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Anthropology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Tel.: +1 404 727 3062; fax: +1 404 727 2860.
Torrey L. Kaufman
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
E.O. Smith
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Rajan Patel
- Department of Biostatistics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Carol M. Worthman
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

Received 6 September 2007; accepted 28 August 2008. published online 30 October 2008.

Abstract

Previous research based largely on two-dimensional (2D) line drawings and picture stimuli has established that both body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) influence the perceived attractiveness of human female bodies. Here, we extend these studies by (1) creating a more ecologically valid stimulus set consisting of 3D videos and 2D still shots from real female “models” rotating in space, and (2) measuring and examining the influence of several additional anthropometric variables that previously have not been considered. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the depth of the lower torso at the umbilicus, or abdominal depth, and waist circumference were the strongest predictors of attractiveness, stronger than either BMI or WHR. 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. Leg length was a consistent positive predictor of attractiveness, perhaps because it has been correlated with biomechanical efficacy or healthy prepubertal growth that is unhindered by nutritional or energetic deficiency. Our results show that conclusions regarding anthropometric predictors of attractiveness are influenced by the visual perspective of the perceiver, as well as the anthropometric variables considered for analysis.

Keywords: Anthropometry, Attractiveness, Waist-to-hip ratio