Perceptions of Health and Attractiveness: The Effects of Body Fat, Muscularity, Gender, and Ethnicity

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2010

Keywords

appearance, body image, body shape, ethnicity, gender

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105309360426

Abstract

Three hundred and thirty-three participants rated the health and attractiveness of schematic figures varying in muscularity, adiposity, gender, and race. In general, overweight and underweight figures were rated as less healthy and attractive. However, overweight figures with high levels of muscularity were rated more highly on these dimensions than figures with less muscularity. Females assigned higher attractiveness ratings than males; African Americans provided higher ratings than Caucasians and Hispanics for female figures and lower ratings than Caucasian and Hispanic raters for male figures. Theoretical explanations and applied implications are offered.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Health Psychology, v. 15, issue 7, p. 1039-1048

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