Women Walk in High Heels

Lumbar Curvature, Dynamic Motion Stimuli and Attractiveness

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15470318
AutoresNorbert Mesko (0000-0002-4355-9563, University of Pecs, autor de correspondencia), Fanni Őry (0000-0002-7670-0914, University of Pecs), Edit Csányi (0000-0002-5129-3697, University of Pecs), Lea Juhász (University of Pecs), Gréta Szilágyi (Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary), Olivér Lubics (0000-0003-1459-4324, Eötvös Loránd University), Ádám Putz (0009-0006-5410-697X, University of Pecs), András Láng (0000-0002-1209-3350, University of Pecs)
Año2021
Volumen18
Número1
Páginas299-299
Fecha de publicación2021-01-03
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18010299
PMID33401569
OpenAlexW3118738213
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas36

Previous studies have demonstrated that the angle of women's lumbar curvature affects men's attractiveness judgments of them. The theoretically optimal angle of lumbar curvature provides better resistance against both hyperlordosis and hypolordosis as biomechanical costs of a bipedal fetal load that could impair a woman's fertility. Since men find this attribute attractive, women aim to emphasize it by wearing high-heeled shoes. The primary objective of the present study was to test this evolutionary hypothesis using short videos presenting women walking by the camera. In line with previous findings based on static stimuli (photographs), dynamic stimuli (videos) presenting women walking in high-heeled shoes were expected to elicit increased attractiveness ratings as compared to women wearing flat shoes, which would be associated with the angle of lumbar curvature. Videos were taken of 52 female models walking in two conditions (i.e., wearing either high-heeled or flat shoes). A total of 108 participants (61 males, 47 females) rated the walking models' physical attractiveness in an online setting. Each model's lumbar curvature was measured both in high heels and in flat shoes using photographs taken of them prior to each video recording. The results showed that wearing high heels consistently increased the models' attractiveness, regardless of whether or not it decreased their natural difference from the theoretically optimal angle of lumbar curvature. Both male and female observers showed this positive effect. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between the models' body mass index (BMI) and their perceived attractiveness scores in both conditions

Attractiveness · Curvature · Geometry · Lumbar · Physical attractiveness · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Mathematics · Medicine · Psychology · Surgery