The ideal body shape for adults as perceived by children

An Australian study on 511 Brisbane school children aged 6-11 (published in the Journal of Sex Research by Connolly et al) were shown drawings of women and men with varying waist-to-hip ratios and body mass index to investigate body shape preferences among children. Children aged 5 and 6 preferred thin, tubular body shapes. In contrast, there was a significant shift in body shape preferences in children aged 10 and 11 for an "hour glass figure" in women (waist hip ratio of 0.7 or waist 70% the circumference of the hips) and "inverted triangles" in men (waist hip ratio of 0.9). The scientists conclude that we are probably not born with these body shape preferences and it is unclear if it is related to hormonal changes or socialisation. In an ABC interview the authors point out that scientists have shown that adults prefer curvy female bodies and that this may have an evolutionary basis being linked with fitness and reproductive capability. They also highlighted that on the one hand puberty may trigger evolutionary pre-wired preferences for body shape which helps guide decisions about choosing mates but on the other hand preferences could form in response to social norms. The authors conclude that more studies are needed to determine if socialisation or biological factors determine development of body shape preferences in children which would assist in the prevention of unhealthy physical ideals.

Last Updated: July 2004