When it comes to assessing what is considered attractive in women, there has been a long-standing belief that very low waist-hip ratios (WHRs) and low body mass indices (BMIs) are indicators of higher fertility. However, recent research challenges this widely accepted view, suggesting that low WHRs and BMIs may not necessarily reflect superior fertility in women in well-nourished populations. In fact, studies indicate the opposite, with lower fertility observed in women who possess these anthropometric values associated with high attractiveness. Furthermore, low maternal BMI has been found to increase the risk of conditions that compromise infant survival.
What Do Relevant Studies of Fertility Suggest?
Contrary to the common belief that low WHRs and BMIs are linked to higher fertility, various studies have indicated a negative association between these attributes and fertility in women. In both subsistence and well-nourished populations, research has failed to find support for the notion that highly attractive women are more fertile. Instead, studies point towards lower fertility rates among women with lower WHRs and BMIs, suggesting that other factors may be at play in the perception of attractiveness.
How Does Maternal BMI Affect Infant Survival?
The impact of maternal BMI on infant survival is an essential consideration when exploring the relationship between low WHRs, low BMIs, and fertility. It has been found that low maternal BMI is associated with an increased risk of conditions that may compromise the survival of infants. For instance, infants born to mothers with lower prepregnancy BMIs have a higher likelihood of being low-birth-weight and preterm, even when controlling for other relevant variables. The existence of such adverse conditions highlights the potential negative effects of low maternal BMI on reproductive fitness throughout human evolution.
What Are the Findings from the U.S. Sample of Women Past Reproductive Age?
A study conducted with a large sample of women past reproductive age in the United States offers valuable insights into the relationship between BMIs and fertility. The research found that women with lower BMIs during their late teen years had fewer live births compared to women with higher youth BMIs. Importantly, this finding held true even after controlling for factors such as education, marital history, and race. Additionally, the study revealed that women with lower youth BMIs experienced earlier menarche (onset of menstruation) and earlier menopause compared to their counterparts. These findings indicate a potential link between low BMIs and reproductive capacity, often contrary to the traditional belief that associated low WHRs and BMIs with higher fertility.
What Does the 2013 U.S. Natality Database Show?
The 2013 U.S. natality database provides a broader perspective on the relationship between maternal BMI and adverse infant outcomes. The data suggests that mothers with lower prepregnancy BMIs have a higher risk of producing both low-birth-weight and preterm infants, even when considering other relevant factors. These conditions would significantly impact fitness over the course of human evolution, further challenging the notion that low WHRs and BMIs in women indicate higher fertility.
Do Highly Attractive Women Have Higher Fertility?
Based on a review of the relevant literature and the findings from the discussed studies, it becomes clear that highly attractive women, often defined by low WHRs and low BMIs, do not necessarily possess higher fertility. In fact, the evidence suggests the opposite – that women with anthropometric values associated with high attractiveness often display lower fertility rates. The long-standing belief that low WHRs and low BMIs reliably indicate superior fertility may need to be reevaluated in light of these findings.
Takeaways
The widely held view that very low WHRs and low BMIs in women indicate higher fertility is not supported by research conducted in both subsistence and well-nourished populations. Instead, studies suggest that these physical attributes are associated with lower fertility rates. Additionally, low maternal BMI has been linked to conditions that compromise infant survival. The findings from a large U.S. sample of women past reproductive age, as well as the data from the 2013 U.S. natality database, further emphasize the potential detrimental effects of low BMIs on reproductive outcomes. Ultimately, this challenges the conventional perception of highly attractive women as being more fertile.
By understanding the complexities of fertility, attractiveness, and their interplay with anthropometric measures, we can gain a more nuanced perspective on human reproduction. It is crucial to reassess and update our understanding based on current scientific evidence, enabling us to make informed decisions and dispel common misconceptions.
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