Iranian men's waist-to-hip ratios, shoulder-to-hip ratios, body esteem and self-efficacy

Abstract

Abstract Waist-to-chest (WCR) and waist-to-shoulder (WSR) ratios are good predictors of male physical attractiveness and women have been shown to prefer higher waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) in men. This study addresses relationships between men's body shapes and their feelings about appearance, weight and how others perceive them. The experimental results reported here demonstrate relationships between Iranian men's shoulder-to-hip ratio (SHR) and WHR on self-reported body esteem and self-efficacy. Increases of SHR and WHR in these men were positively correlated with body esteem and increases of SHR with general self-efficacy. BMI was not correlated with either. These findings are interpreted in reference to men's preferences for feminine ranges of WHR regardless of actual biological sex in relation to varying preferences that have been found cross-culturally and to self-perceived masculinity in relation to their mate and coalitional membership value.