The perfect body shape revealed by maths

13:25 26 August 2010

The link between a woman's body and a man's level of attraction towards it has been solved by maths, according to a scientist.

Anthropologist Barnaby Dixson studied what the sexes found attractive in a partner across cultures.

Dixson claims that the formula that men favoured in women almost every single time was  a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7 or a waist measuring 70 per cent of the hip circumference. This was deemed the "perfect" size.

It means that those with classically hourglass figures are at a natural advantage.

Dixson said that men didn't take other factors into account when they saw a woman with that waist-to-hip ratio, despite being drawn initially to her cleavage.

He stated: "It is likely that perfect 0.7 ratio sends a biological signal to men that the woman is most fertile and most likely to produce a healthy offspring, no matter what size that woman is.

"It is all about the distribution of fat which is directly linked to fertility."

The Scottish anthropologist also claimed that women are more likely to pick up a "leaner and less macho" man as they are perceived to be more gentle and caring.

Supermodel Kate Moss, actresses Jessica Alba and Marilyn Monroe, and Victoria's Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio all possess the perfect 0.7 ratio.