Waist-to-hip ratio and preferences for body shape: A replication and extension

Evidence from Singh (1993a, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 293–307; 1993b, Human Nature, 4, 297–321; 1994, Personality and Individual Differences, 16, 123–132; 1995, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 1089–1101) clearly demonstrates the relation of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and apparent overall body weight to attractiveness judgements of male and female figures. The present study is a cross-cultural replication of Singhʹs studies. In addition, sex difference meta-perceptions of attractiveness were considered. Overall results support Singhʹs work, which finds the WHR the most parsimonious measure of body physical attractiveness. With regard to the latter, a large consensus on preferences of ideal figures was found. Participantsʹ perceptions of body shape and size showed both similarities and differences to those in Singhʹs research, and are discussed in terms of WHR as an evolutionary adaptation.