Assortative Marriage for Height–BMI in an Israeli Sample

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated that in western societies women are perceived as more attractive with weight drop (proxied by the BMI measure, where BMI =, while men are perceived as more attractive with height rise. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that as BMI rises for a woman, she has to compromise and marry shorter men. The study is based on the 2016 wave of the Israeli longitudinal survey. We observe the cross-sectional correlation between the married couples' height, weight, BMI, age, number of children, and proxies for accumulated wealth. The first part of the analysis tests the research hypothesis directly, while the second part of the analysis adds control variables. Research findings support the research hypothesis. Under equal conditions, the projected drop in the height of the male’ corresponds to an increase in the female’s BMI and age. Moreover, research findings may support the conclusion that taller men are more successful. The outcomes suggest positive association between the height of the men, and owning a car, having children, and living in a single family detached unit.