Using figure rating scales, Aniulis et al. (27) found that the most frequently selected ideal body had a BMI of 19.79, closely followed by an underweight ideal of 18.26. Ahern et al. (28) found that a BMI of 20 was considered the most attractive, while Swami et al.
Earlier research has found that the most desired BMIs are approximately 18-20, considerably below the average or typical values of young women in well-fed populations.
Those with a body-mass index, a measurement of fat/thinness that combines weight and height, of 18 to 20 were judged the most attractive. This is thinner than the average woman whose BMI ranges from 20 to 25, but markedly plumper than the seriously underweight and anorexic who were judged as unattractive as the obese.
Men prefer a woman who has less body fat and more muscle than that. She'll still weigh a fairly regular amount, but she'll be significantly fitter and more muscular than average, with a leaner waist, stronger hips, and broader shoulders.
Top hourglass body shape
Considered to be the most attractive body shape, this is very similar to hourglass body shape, except that in this case the curves are more defined.
However, studies show that the ideal waist size for women is less than 35 inches and that for men is less than 40 inches.
This beauty ideal became de rigueur in the industry; the average runway model has a body mass index (BMI) of 16, which the World Health Organization classifies as severely thin.
Women with a BMI of less than 18.5 are considered underweight. The average woman's height is 5 feet, 4 inches. If you weigh 107 pounds or less at this height, you are considered underweight with a BMI of 18.4. A healthy weight range for that woman would be 108 to 145 pounds.
Healthy BMI in Adults
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that for adults, the healthy range for BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight is defined as a body mass index of 25 to 29.9, and obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher.
Then, by having study participants draw headshot pairs and note which face looked heavier to them, the researchers calculated the magic number when weight loss becomes visible in the face: It's when your BMI drops by 2.93. (That's 2.93 lbs./m2, the units for BMI; you can calculate your own BMI here.)
Facial symmetry has been shown to be considered attractive in women, and men have been found to prefer full lips, high forehead, broad face, small chin, small nose, short and narrow jaw, high cheekbones, clear and smooth skin, and wide-set eyes.
Here's what your number means: Less than 18.5 = underweight. 18.5 to 24.9 = normal weight. 25 to 29.9 = overweight.
A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal. A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is overweight. A BMI over 30 indicates obesity.
under 18.5kg/m2 – you are considered underweight and possibly malnourished. 18.5 to 24.9kg/m2 – you are within a healthy weight range for young and middle-aged adults. 25.0 to 29.9kg/m2 – you are considered overweight.
A BMI of 21-25 kg/m2 is considered “normal” or “healthy.” What's important to know from a longevity standpoint is that in large, long-term studies, adults who fall within this “healthy” BMI range and whose weight stays stable over time also have the lowest disease and mortality risk.
Skinny fat is a better health indicator than BMI.
That's a problem, because fat tissue weighs less than muscle tissue. So a an out-of-shape guy with a high amount of body fat could end up having a lower BMI than a really fit guy who's the same height, but has a lot more muscle tissue.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a healthy adult BMI as being between 18.5 and 25. A BMI less than 18.5 indicates underweight (possibly caused by disease, malnutrition or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa) and a BMI over 25 as overweight (possibly caused by poor diet choices or lack of exercise).
If your BMI is between 22 and 25: Healthy Weight
This is still considered an acceptable range, and is associated with good health.
Victoria's Secret models, known as "angels", are required to adhere to strict requirements in terms of their body measurements. According to Poppy, to be a Victoria's Secret angel your body fat percentage has to be lower than 18%.
Female measurements: Plus-size women working in modeling are usually a size 12 and above. Their weight should typically be between 161 and 205 pounds, with a chest size of 41” to 45”.
Waist to hip ratios
Healthy women have ratios of 0.67 to 0.80 while healthy men have 0.80 to 0.95. For attractiveness, ideal for men is 0.90 and female ideal is 0.7 (for Western populations only).
There are no specific measurements that define a curvy body type, as all female bodies are unique. However, some examples include 42-38-46, 36-34-42 or 34-24-38, where the numbers represent “breast-waist-hip” measurements.
What should your waist measurement be? For men, a waist circumference below 94cm (37in) is 'low risk', 94–102cm (37-40in) is 'high risk' and more than 102cm (40in) is 'very high'. For women, below 80cm (31.5in) is low risk, 80–88cm (31.5-34.6in) is high risk and more than 88cm (34.6in) is very high.
Ideal Weight per MET Life
if she has a small frame; 121-135 lbs. with a medium frame; and 131-147 lbs. with a large frame. A 5' 6" woman (5' 5" without shoes) with a small frame should weigh 120-133 lbs.; a woman with a medium frame should weigh 130-144 lbs.; and a woman with a large frame should weigh 140-159 lbs.