Perfect female body measurements

Young women are subjected to descriptions of the “perfect” female body and are subsequently distorting their own body images, due to media’s increasing use of slim female models and images of nearly unachievable body measurement. Complaints about body fat have become normal discourse among females. According to Alexandra Brewis, “This pattern of body image distortion is considerably more common in women than in men, to the point that it is considered an as usual female phenomenon.

The ideal measurements are also cultural defined. A giant ass is hot in Africa, while most women in the Western world choose to go for some sizes smaller. We have to limit the region where the comparison theory works. If we use western culture, women’s perfect height is between 5”6’ and 5”10’.

These are the perfect body measurements

Height: 5”8’ (173 cm)
Waist: 24 inches (61 cm)
Hips: 28 inches (71 cm)
Weight: around 146 pounds (66 kg)

Most sources specify ideal female measurements as 36-24-36. Evolutionary psychologist Devendra Singh, of the University of Texas-Austin, surveyed men in many different societies and arrived at this ratio.

• The subjects were shown drawings of women identical which varies from 0.7 to 1.0
• Healthy women have lower waist-to-hip ratios than unhealthy
• He points out that a mainly number of diseases, including diabetes, gallbladder disorders, heart problems, hypertension, and stroke will change the distribution of body fat. Moreover, low-ratio women tend to be more fertile
• Narrow waists have long been favored, explaining the popularity of corset in Western society

According to an article Current Anthropology, December, 2008 entitled "Waist-to-Hip Ratio across Cultures: Trade-Offs between Androgen- and Estrogen-Dependent Traits"

• Many women do not have the 0.7 ratio
• Cashdan tells that the hormones which make women stronger and better able to deal with stress will also redistribute fat from the hips to the waist.
• Cashdan notes that the hormonal profile associated with high waist-to-hip ratio, may favor success in resource competition, particularly under stressful circumstances.
• He also added that the androgenic effect stamina, initiative, risk-proneness, assertiveness, and dominance should be particularly useful where a woman must depend on her own resources to support herself and her family.