Lower Waist-to-Hip, Waist-to-Stature, and Waist-to-Bust Ratios Predict Higher Rankings of Plus-size Models in a Naturalistic Condition

Previous research suggests that waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR), and waist-to-bust ratio (WBR) serve as cues of health and fertility in women, influencing the viewers’ perception of attractiveness. However, it is unclear to what extent these findings can be applied to the perception of female attractiveness in a naturalistic condition or in women with a higher body mass index. In this study, we tested whether lower WHR, WSR, and WBR increased the perceived attractiveness of plus-size models in a naturalistic condition. The WHR, WSR, and WBR were computed via biometric data (height, bust, waist, and hip measurements) of 49 U.S. plus-size models who have been listed on ranker.com. The photographs of these models have been viewed 2.60 million times and voted 146,000 times. The perception of attractiveness was operationalized as rankings, generated from the relative number of upvotes and downvotes from site visitors. Spearman correlations showed that lower WHR, WSR, and WBR were all positively correlated with higher rankings. In a subsequent ordinal logistic regression, only WSR and WBR remained as significant predictors of rankings. The principal component regression also revealed that the latent body component of WHR, WSR, and WBR predicted rankings of the models.These findings cannot be accounted by the models’ general popularity or their anthropometric measures being similar to other types of models’ (e.g., fashion, glamor, playboy, and adult film models). Our findings suggest that smaller WHR, WSR, and WBR influence the perception of female attractiveness in a naturalistic condition, even among plus-size models.

Lipid Replacement Therapy Functional Food Formulation with NT Factor for Reducing Weight, Girth, Body Mass, Appetite and Fatigue While Improving Blood Lipid Profiles

Background: Lipid Replacement Therapy using NT Factor® plus kidney bean alpha-amylase inhibitor (Healthy Curb®) was used in a two month weight loss clinical trial to reduce weight and improve fatigue without changing easting or exercise patterns and without use of drugs, stimulants or herbs. Objectives: To determine the effects of an all-natural functional food, NT Factor® plus alpha-amylase inhibitor (Healthy Curb®), on weight loss, body girth, body mass and index, basal metabolic rate, appetite, carvings for sweets and fatigue as well as blood lipid profiles during a 2-month open label clinical trial without food restrictions or increases in physical activity.Methods: Thirty subjects (Mean Age = 56.8 ± 1.8; 24 females and 6 males) used the functional food containing NT Factor® (500 mg) and alpha-amylase inhibitor (500 mg) 30 min before each meal in tablet form. Participants were told to eat and exercise normally. Weight, waist and hip measurements were taken weekly. Appetite and sweet cravings were assessed weekly by standard methods. Fatigue was determined using the Piper Fatigue Scale. Blood samples were taken prior to and at the end of the trial for lipid and chemical analyses. Results: Sixty-three percent of the participants lost an average of 6.11 ± 0.28 pounds (2.77 ± 0.12 Kg) (p<0.001) along with average reductions of 2.51 ± 0.05 inches (6.4 ± 0.13 cm) (p<0.0001) and 1.5 ± 0.04 inches (3.8 ± 0.10 cm) (p<0.0001) from waist and hip circumferences, respectively. The entire group lost an average of 3.63 ± 0.13 pounds (1.65 ± 0.11 Kg) (p<0.001) with average reductions of 1.59 ± 0.03 inches (4.04 ± 0.06 cm) (p<0.0001) and 1.13 ± 0.02 inch (2.87 ± 0.05 cm) (p<0.0001) from waist and hip circumferences, respectively. Weight loss and body measurement decreases were gradual, consistent and significant, along with reductions in body mass index (BMI) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) measurements. Overall hunger was reduced 44.5% (p<0.001), with reduced cravings for sweets and fats, and there was a 23.9% reduction in fatigue (p<0.009). Along with fatigue reduction there was a 26.8% perceived improvement (p<0.004) in cognition and ability to concentrate, remember and think clearly. Blood lipid profiles at the end of the trial suggested improved cardiovascular lipid profiles, and there were no adverse events from the product.Conclusions: The participants lost weight, showed significant decreases in waist and hip measurements and had reduced average overall body mass. Their fatigue was significantly reduced, and they experienced marked appetite suppression and reduced cravings for sweets and fats. Healthy Curb® was completely safe and well tolerated and appeared to be an effective functional food product to manage weight and appetite without changing eating or exercise patterns.Keywords: NT Factor®, alpha-amylase inhibitor, weight loss, girth, body mass index, fatigue, hunger, appetite, mitochondrial function, blood lipoproteins

Body Mass Index and Weight Distribution

It has been accepted for many years that being overweight or obese, as indicated by a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or over for the former and 30 or over for the latter, is associated with impairment of long term health and prognosis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that, in Caucasians, waist measurements of 94cm or more in men, and 80cm or more in women have similar adverse effects on health, with increased risks at 102 cm or more in men and 88 cm in women. The role of waist-hip ratio (W/H) and whether it represents a better index than waist (W) measurement alone is being debated; many papers favour waist measurement alone. But two papers in 2005 discussing 27,098 subjects, 12,461 of whom had myocardial infarction and 14,637 controls, come down firmly in favour of W/H and were followed by a Lancet Editorial entitled ‘Farewell to Body Mass Index?’ Life assurance companies at medical examination usually request height and weight measurements (and therefore BMI). Most ask for waist measurements and a few hip measurements in addition (and therefore W/H). The authors have reviewed the data in 816 consecutive subjects for life assurance examination in whom BMIs, Ws and W/Hs were all recorded. In these the evidence supports the use of W as the best indicator of risk in men (634 cases), but not in the relatively small number of women (182 cases) in whom H appeared better. We believe that BMI, W and W/H should be recorded in every subject at life assurance examination so that the insurance companies in the long term will be able to reach valid conclusions about their individual and collective value

Accuracy of self-reported waist and hip measurements in 4492 EPIC–Oxford participants

Objective:To assess the accuracy of self-reported waist and hip circumferences and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) by comparison with measured waist and hip circumferences and WHR in a sample of middle-aged men and women.Design:Analysis of measured and self-reported waist and hip data from participants in the Oxford cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC–Oxford).Participants:Four thousand four hundred and ninety-two British men and women aged 35–76 years.Results:Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between measured and self-reported waist, hip and WHR were 0.80, 0.74 and 0.44, respectively, for men and 0.83, 0.86 and 0.62 for women. Waist was underestimated, on average, by 3.1 (standard deviation (SD) 5.6) cm in men and 1.9 (SD 5.4) cm in women. The extent of underestimation was greater in participants with larger waists, older participants and women with greater body mass index (BMI). Hip was underestimated by a mean of 1.8 (SD 4.9) cm in men and 1.2 (SD 4.5) cm in women; the extent of underestimation was greater in participants with larger hip circumference and older participants. On average, WHR was underestimated by less than 2% by men and women; the extent of underestimation was greater among those with larger WHR, older people and those with greater BMI. Using self-reported values, the proportion of classification to the correct tertile was over 65% for waist and hip measurements. For WHR this proportion was 50% among men and 60% among women.Conclusions:Self-reported waist and hip measurements in EPIC–Oxford are sufficiently accurate for identifying relationships in epidemiological studies.