Less is more
This may well go down as one of those really obvious news stories which highlight something which you already know but now there is research data to back up the point and so it’s worth rehashing what may well be well-trodden ground. Research published in the latest issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (don’t pretend you’ve never read it, you clearly have a subscription!) has shown that women who weigh less and who have a smaller waist-to-hip ratio are considered more attractive.
The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons published the data which had been collected in Germany through a process of digitally manipulating images of women. Several physical features would be altered on the picture; legs, weight, bust-size and hip and waist width were all messed with in order to create a range of different sized figures. 34,000 people, both men and women, were then asked which they found to be the most attractive body.
The resulting data showed that it was indeed slimmer women with a smaller waist and hips who were voted the most desirable. Plastic surgery has really become a viable way of achieving this ‘perfect’ body in recent years and research such as this is only likely to spur more people on into taking the plunge and getting surgery.
Other research within the journal has also raised the interesting point that environmental issues may well be connected to ageing. “A person’s heritage may initially dictate how they age – but if you introduce certain factors into your life, you will certainly age faster” commented one doctor who was the author of the study in question. Bahaman Guyuron carried out his study on twins as they are genetically programmed to age in the same way at the same rate. The ones who had been through a divorce were found to look up to 2 years older than their siblings who were married, single or widowed. Clearly the message here is not groundbreaking either but it is one which needs repeating; stress ages us much more than our genes do.
Both these studies highlight the flaws and imperfections in our bodies and also point us towards the optimum physical condition to which most of us strive. Affordable cosmetic surgery is now an accessible way for this striving to become reality; If this is in and stress is out, make sure you don’t get left behind.
