Body Attractiveness Research Articles

Curviness is a better predictor of a woman’s body attractiveness than the waist-to-hip ratio

The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is commonly used as an indicator of mid-body fat distribution and is often used to answer health-related questions. It has also been suggested that a woman’s WHR can signal her reproductive fitness. This notion is supported by evidence indicating a relation between WHR and a woman’s physical attractiveness. However, it was also acknowledged that the actual fitness cue is the curviness of a woman’s body. While curviness is easy to perceive, it is difficult to quantify. Therefore, the WHR is often considered as a simple measure of body curviness. However, the WHR and curviness are not uniquely related. After replicating results of a pioneering study in this area, we therefore tested whether the WHR or curviness better predicts a woman’s physical attractiveness. As stimuli, we used simple line drawings of women’s bodies, differing in their curviness and width. The results demonstrate that curviness is a better predictor, even though we used a relatively simple curvature-based measure of curviness. This outcome indicates that the WHR is a poor measure of a woman’s body curviness and underscores the need for a more accurate measure of curviness when assessing the physical attractiveness of a woman’s body.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Translated Physical Self-Perception Profile Among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivor

PurposeTo translate the original English version of Physical Self-Perception Profile into Cantonese Chinese, while considering linguistic and socio-cultural characteristics, and evaluate its psychometric properties among Chinese breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong, China, thus providing a valid, culturally relevant tool for assessing of the physical self-esteem among this population. MethodsThe 30-item Physical Self-Perception Profile was translated into Chinese by the combined translation technique. The psychometric properties of the Cantonese version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile were examined in 292 Hong Kong Chinese breast cancer survivors for internal consistency and test-retest reliability. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the structural validity. A panel of 5 experts examined its content validity. The concurrent validity was examined by correlating the Physical Self-Perception Profile and a validated global self-esteem measure. ResultsThe Cantonese version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile demonstrated satisfactory content validity, also satisfactory internal consistency with Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.64 to 0.80, as well as good test-retest reliability, with an intra-class correlation coefficient ranging from 0.77 to 0.81. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a fairly good fit of the four-factor subdomain structure, namely, physical condition, physical strength, body attractiveness and sports competence. The concurrent validity of the Chinese-version Physical Self-Perception Profile was demonstrated by a significant positive correlation between the physical self-worth domain and four subdomains with global self-esteem. In addition, the four subdomains had statistically significant positive correlations with the physical self-worth domain indicating the instrument’s hierarchical structure. ConclusionsThe study translated the Physical Self-Perception Profile from English to Cantonese and demonstrated its desirable psychometric properties among Chinese Hong Kong breast cancer survivors. The linguistical and cultural adaptation of this instrument can serve as a valid and reliable tool for assessing physical self-esteem among breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong, China.

Brighteness-dependent visual attractiveness of the human body for horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae): a field experiment.

The landing patterns of blood-sucking females (Diptera: Tabanidae) are largely influenced by their visual perceptions. When attacking humans, the shape of different body parts and overall brightness of the body could be the factors determining the place of blood-sucking. The visual attractiveness of the human body for tabanids was investigated through a black and a white mannequin in the Danube floodplain, Slovakia. The mannequins were covered by glue once a week. On both of the mannequins, 332 horse flies were stuck. The trapped horse flies on the mannequins belong to the genera Tabanus Linnaeus, 1758, Hybomitra Enderlein, 1922, Chrysops Meigen, 1803, Haematopota Linnaeus, 1758 and Atylotus (Linnaeus, 1767). Based on the trapped tabanids, the black mannequin is 6.06 times more attractive than the white one. The most tabanid carcasses were found on the lower limbs (56.32%) and the least occurred on the head (2.1%), the difference in their occurrence between the lower limbs and head of both mannequins was significant (P < 0.001). A similar significant difference was observed on certain parts of both mannequins on the taxonomical level of the genera Tabanus, Hybomitra, and Atylotus, the carcasses of which aggregated mostly on the lower limbs, rather than on the upper limbs and head.

Like Mother, Like Daughter? Double Standards in Body Evaluation and Their Familial Transmission in Female Adolescents and Their Mothers

BackgroundCognitive biases, such as applying stricter body evaluation for oneself than for others, are presumed to promote the development and maintenance of eating disorders. While questionnaire data have demonstrated a familial transmission of body image, these self-deprecating double standards (DS) have not been studied among female adolescents, and a potential familial transmission of DS through feedback/role-modeling is yet to be explored. The present study thus addresses these questions.MethodsFemale adolescents and their mothers viewed pictures of their own and peer bodies presented with their own and another peer’s face, and were asked to rate arousal, valence, body attractiveness, and body fat for each body.ResultsDaughters evaluated their own, an average-weight, and an overweight build as less attractive and with more body fat when presented with their own than with another face, while mothers mainly applied such self-deprecating DS for an overweight build. Regarding familial transmission, higher negative maternal feedback was associated with more self-deprecating DS of body fat and attractiveness in daughters when viewing an overweight build.ConclusionsFemale adolescents and their mothers apply self-deprecating DS, suggesting that DS are widespread. Psychoeducation and training regarding communication, feedback, and body functionality might support the prevention of DS.

Assessment of sexual and body esteem in postpartum women with or without perineal laceration: a cross-sectional study with cultural translation and validation of the Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale.

We aimed to translate and determine cultural validity of the Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale (VSBE) for Brazilian Portuguese language in postpartum women who underwent vaginal delivery with or without perineal laceration and cesarean section. A cross-sectional study conducted virtually, with online data collection through a survey with 234 postpartum women of 975 that were invited. Clinical, sociodemographic, and psychometric variables from the VSBE questionnaire were analyzed (content validity index, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct/structural and discriminant validity). Multivariate analysis was performed to explore associated factors with the presence of perineal laceration. One-hundred fifty-eight women experienced vaginal delivery, of which 24.79% had an intact perineum, 33.33% had perineal laceration, and 9.4% underwent episiotomy; and 76 participants had cesarean sections. Women with perineal laceration were older, presented dyspareunia and previous surgeries than women without perineal laceration (p<0.05). For VSBE, a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.7) was observed, but it did not correlate with Body Attractiveness Questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index; however, it correlated with the presence of women sutured for perineal laceration. Moreover, VSBE presented good structural validity with two loading factors after exploratory factor analysis. VSBE also demonstrated discriminant validity between the presence or absence of perineal laceration. The presence of urinary incontinence (UI) (OR=2.716[1.015-4.667];p=0.046) and a higher VSBE total score (OR=1.056[1.037-1.075];p<0.001) were the only factors associated with perineal laceration. Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale demonstrated appropriate translation and good internal consistency, discriminant/construct validity and reliability. Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale total score and presence of UI were associated with women that underwent perineal laceration.

Development of a Graviton Model of Attraction of Non-Spherical Bodies, Taking into Account the Influence of the Speeds of Motion of Bodies and the Influence of Gravitons on the Change in the Masses of Bodies

Development of a Graviton Model of Attraction of Non-Spherical Bodies, Taking into Account the Influence of the Speeds of Motion of Bodies and the Influence of Gravitons on the Change in the Masses of Bodies

(293) Observed Relationship Between Testosterone Levels and Perceived Body Image

Abstract Introduction A positively perceived body image is an important part of one’s conception of oneself and one’s own identity, abilities, and worth. Past research has shown an inverse relationship between testosterone concentration and one’s sense of self, as manifested by increased depression. We hypothesized, therefore, that a subjectively negative self-image would be associated with the objective findings of hypogonadism (low testosterone). Objective To investigate the relationship between one’s own serum testosterone and a personal assessment of one’s body image and satisfaction. Methods An electronic survey was delivered through REDCap to patients at our urology clinic with a recent testosterone value documented in the observation interval 1/1/2020-12/31/2022. The survey included components of the following validated surveys: the Self-Rated Bodily Attractiveness Survey, the Male Body Image Self-Conscious Scale, and the Body Esteem Scale. Specifically, we asked each patient about their perceived bodily attractiveness as it pertains to sexual intercourse as well as specific inquiries about feelings towards specific body parts. Each answer choice corresponded to a five-point Likert-Scale, enabling respondents to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement. We then retrospectively recorded the most recent testosterone value recorded in each respondent’s electronic medical record. T-tests were utilized to compare testosterone values for men with high versus low survey scores using SPSS. Results The men who reported a positive cumulative body image score from the survey had an average testosterone of 749.15 ng/dL, whereas men who had a negative body image score from our survey had an average testosterone of 340.67 ng/dL. Importantly, these testosterone values were statistically significant from each other, as indicated by a t-value of 2.58 and a p-value of .0095. To establish clear distinctions between the positive and negative body image cohorts, we set threshold scores for each group: the positive body image cohort was defined as individuals scoring at least 34 out of 45 (≥ 75%), while the negative body image cohort comprised those with scores no higher than 30 out of 45. Interestingly, there were no respondents whose cumulative scores fell within the range of 30 to 34. The positive body image cohort had an average score of 39.92 out of 45, while the negative body image cohort had an average score of 23.00 out of 45. Conclusions Based on our findings, it appears that men with hypogonadism, as characterized by low testosterone, may be more likely to experience a negative body image. This relationship is supported by this cohort’s response to several questionnaires addressing one’s own assessment of self-worth. Men with low testosterone versus eugonadal controls scored significantly lower in surveys addressing bodily attractiveness, male body image self-consciousness, and body esteem. These results highlight the relationship between low testosterone and body image, contributing to our understanding of the psychological factors that can influence well-being in men. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential implications and challenges faced by individuals with hypogonadism, addressing concurrently both their hormonal deficiencies and their negative sense of self. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Larry Lipshultz: AbbVie (Consultant) American Medical Systems/Boston Scientific (Speaker) Aytu BioScience (Consultant) Contraline, Inc. (Consultant) Endo Pharmaceuticals (Consultant/Speaker) Inherent Biosciences (Advisor) Lipocine (Consultant).

German Translation of the Revised Physical Self-Perception Profile Competence (PSPP-R Competence)

Abstract: This paper examines the validity of the competence scale of the Revised Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP-R Competence) in a large German sample of 1,007 predominantly female participants by assessing construct validity, discriminant and criterion validity, and reliability. The PSPP-R Competence measures four factors: Body Attractiveness, Physical Strength, Sports Competence, and Physical Condition. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the hypothesized correlated four-factor structure and offered support for a hierarchical factor structure. Discriminant and criterion validity analyses offered insight into the nomological net and were in line with theoretical considerations. Reliability of all subscales was estimated using Cronbach’s α and found to be good to excellent ranging from .84 to .92. Overall, this study provides support for a good adaptation of the PSPP-R in the German language and enriches previous validation studies focused mainly on factorial validity by adding discriminant and concurrent validity estimates.

Youth Athletes' Self-Esteem: The Impact of Integrated Psychological Skills Training.

Study on the effect of psychological skills training on self-esteem (SE) in young athletes. 10 swimmers and 35 volleyball players, split into an intervention group (25) and a control group (18). The intervention entailed a 3-week psychological skills training program covering arousal management, breathing, relaxation, mental imagery, and self-talk. Multilevel growth curve analyses evaluated SE changes. The intervention group showed significant improvements in multiple SE dimensions-physical self-worth, fitness, athletic competence, strength, and body attractiveness but not general SE. This study provides initial evidence of a multimodal psychological skills training's effectiveness in enhancing young athletes' domain-specific SE. It highlights the role of domain-specific SE in young athletes' well-being. Future research should examine psychological and physiological correlations and assess the long-term SE development in adolescent athletes.

Effects of Physical Activity Interventions on Physical Self-Perception in College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although the physical activities have demonstrated efficacy in improving physical self-perception, the findings of available studies in college students were conflicting. This review aimed to examine the effects of physical activity interventions on physical self-perception in college students. Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, Embase, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang, and Chinese Technical Periodicals were searched from inception to April 2024. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-RCTs (non-RCTs) that examined the effects of physical activity interventions on college students' physical self-perception. Random-effects models were used in meta-analyses to synthesize effect sizes. Forty studies (17 RCTs and 23 non-RCTs) with 4955 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, physical activity interventions had small to moderate significant effect on physical self-worth (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.44, P < .00001), perceived sports competence (SMD = 0.60, P < .00001), perceived physical condition (SMD = 0.45, P < .00001), perceived physical strength (SMD = 0.53, P < .00001), and perceived body attractiveness (SMD = 0.54, P < .00001). Significant differences were observed in study design (P = .031-.039), intervention type (P = .003-.031), and intervention duration (P = .002-.036) for some aspects of physical self-perception, such as perceived physical strength and perceived body attractiveness. Physical activity interventions have beneficial effects on physical self-perception in college students, especially those conducted for 12weeks, 3 times or more per week, lasting 90minutes or more per session. Large, high-quality RCTs are required to further confirm these findings.

Представления о привлекательности мужского и женского тела и особенности полового диморфизма русских и бурят

The aim of the present study was to investigate sexual dimorphism of body parameters in modern Russians and Buryats, and to assess its association with preferences for male and female body traits in these populations. Sex and population differences in height, muscle and bone mass, fat deposition and hand grip strength were assessed using direct measurements in Buryats (N = 182, Ulan-Ude city, Buryatia) and Russians (N = 181, Tula city) (age: 17-26 years). Mate preferences for sexual dimorphism in body height, muscularity, physical strength and fat deposition in Buryats (N = 182) and Russians (N = 340) of the same age were assessed by a survey developed by the authors. The results revealed that modern Buryats have lower body height and lower body and muscle mass than Russians. However, Buryats demonstrated higher sexual dimorphism of bone and muscle mass. Russian women had higher fat deposition compared to Buryat women, which corresponded to Russian male preferences. Mate preferences for sexual dimorphism in muscularity and physical strength did not correspond to actual degrees of sex differences in these parameters either in Russians or Buryats. Our results suggest these traits are not directly associated with intersexual attractiveness, and were selected for in other selection processes leading to high sexual dimorphism. Our results also revealed population differences in the integral perception of the male body attractiveness: Russian women demonstrated preferences for a male “masculine complex”. In contrast, Buryat preferences for various body parameters were almost not correlated with each other. The results are discussed in line with evolutionary theory. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Tides and Low Horizon in Calculating the Beginning of the Qamariyah Month

The lowness of the horizon is the plane that passes through the center point of the earth and is perpendicular to the vertical line. In general, during determination of the beginning of the month of Qamariyah, there is rarely a correction to the low horizon with the majority of these activities carried out on the beach. Tidal force is the fluctuation of sea water due to the attraction of celestial bodies. With the hypothesis that when the sea is in a state of high tide, the horizon is also higher and when the sea is at low tide the horizon is in a lower position. This study is intended to answer the problem of how the influence of tides on the low horizon? This research is a library research with primary data in the form of tidal data from Buku Tabel Pasang Surut Kepulauan Indonesia 2022 yang diterbitkan oleh Hidro-Oseanigrafi TNI AL. In this article, we will examine sea tides and their effect on the low horizon. With the result of tides the sea water does not affect the lowness of the horizon.

Kant and the Balance of Moral Forces

In the Doctrine of Virtue, Kant draws an analogy between the physical forces of repulsion and attraction and the moral forces of respect and love. I argue that we should interpret this passage as endorsing a moral version of the balancing argument from his natural philosophy. There, Kant argues that purely repulsive and attractive bodies respectively face problems of total dispersion and collapse. I argue that purely respectful and loving humans respectively face analogous problems of total moral dispersion and collapse. I conclude by drawing some significant implications of this moral balancing argument for contemporary theorizing about moral interactions, relationships, and communities.

One body, two faces: How double standards influence body evaluation in women with binge-eating disorder compared to mentally healthy women with higher weight and average weight.

Research has found evidence that women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) apply different standards for themselves than for others when evaluating bodies, an aspect of a disturbed body image. This study investigates whether women with binge-eating disorder (BED) likewise show self-deprecating double standards (DS). Women with BED (n = 40), women with higher weight (n = 40) and women with average weight (n = 40) viewed a presentation of different builds, including their individual ideal body, which were presented once with participants' own and once with an unknown woman's face. After each presentation, participants rated their emotional response regarding arousal and valence, and evaluated the body's attractiveness, body fat and muscle mass. DS were defined as the difference in ratings of the same body with one's own and the unknown face. Women with BED showed a higher degree of negative emotions in response to a thin and a high-weight build, rated lower levels of body attractiveness for an athletic build, and displayed more arousal for almost all builds presented with their own compared to with another face. While women with BED showed a higher burden on measures of eating pathology and body image than the other groups, DS were not more pronounced in women with BED. The findings contradict DS as a characteristic feature of BED, but underline "normative" DS for higher-weight/high-weight builds, reflecting weight stigmatization. Psychoeducation on these DS might complement cognitive-behavioral therapy in BED in order to reduce negative emotions. A bias in body evaluation has been proven in women with anorexia and BN, but no research has examined this in women with BED. This study provides evidence of DS in body evaluation in women with BED, compares the extent of DS between women with BED, higher weight, and average weight, and investigates individual body ideals in women with BED and higher weight.

Semantics of Nudity in Fashion Photography of 20th Century

The purpose of the article is to analyse the semiotics of the body in visual culture of the late 20th and early 21st centuries using the example of fashion photography; to find out how the body has turned from a passive screen for displaying socially and culturally significant markers into an active agent of shaping fashion trends. The research methodology is based on a combination of different approaches to describing the semantic nuances of the body image in modern fashion photography. In particular, with the help of the historical and genealogical method, the evolution of the narrative focus of fashion photography is shown, since at first attention was paid first of all to the beauty of the thing being sold, then to the idealised body. A structural approach was applied to analyse the multiple contexts of fashion photography, such as the perception of a material thing, its photographic representation and expert review. All of them are components of the fashion discourse. Using the epistemological method, the semantics of the concepts of nakedness (as acquired vulnerability) and nudity (as harmonious integrity) are distinguished. The scientific novelty of the study consists in revealing numerous semiotic contexts of the phenomenon of nudity in fashion photography, which is always aestheticised compositionally, colouristically, and cosmetically depending on the cultural environment and cultural era, and therefore naked physicality is a discursive phenomenon, like fashion in general. Conclusions. Corporeality in fashion photography of the 20th century expresses the incessant processuality of postmodern semiosis – the recoding of the world of things into the dimension of signs. The human body becomes a screen for the projection of these signs, the principle of an ongoing game, the eternal engine of advertising discourse to multiplicate visual images. The devaluation of things in the European culture of mass consumption of the second half of the 20th century, caused by their overproduction, contributed to a change in the critical focus of fashion from the clothes in which the human body is wrapped to the body itself. Elitism is no longer defined as a set of precious or luxurious things that a person desires to own and that require a financial investment. Instead, the signifier of exclusivity in late modern Western society is a healthy and attractive body. It requires competent care, medicalisation, sports training, and, therefore, in addition to financial, also investments of time and knowledge. Thus, the fashion photography of the end of the 20th – the first quarter of the 21st century shows the shift in the focus of the fashion discourse from the aesthetics of things to the aesthetics of lifestyle and self-creation, for which the human body serves as a screen.&#x0D; Key words: fashion, fashion photography, corporeality, nudity, nakedness.

Tendencies Toward Supernormality/Subnormality in Generating Attractive and Unattractive Female and Male Avatars: Gender Differences.

In the present study, we investigated the differences in the experience of attractiveness and unattractiveness of human bodies. A total of 101 participants (55 females) were asked to create the most attractive and the most unattractive female and male figures using a computer animation. They performed this task by adjusting the size of six body parts: shoulders, breasts/chest, waist, hips, buttocks, and legs. Analyses indicated that attractive body parts were distributed normally with the peak shifted to moderately supernormal sizes, while unattractive body parts had mostly U-shaped or skewed distributions with extremes in super-supernormal and/or subnormal sizes. Generally, both male and female attractive bodies had prominent "sporty" look: supernormally wide shoulders and long legs. Gender differences showed that men prefer more supernomal masculine and feminine sizes, while women show an ambivalence toward both groups of traits. Principal components analysis revealed gender differences on the multitrait level: males focus on prominent masculine and feminine traits, while women focus on traits that make both male and female bodies more elongated and slender. Gender differences were in line with specific male and female positions in the partner selection process, while a certain tendency toward masculinization of the female body required the inclusion of social factors, such as the influence of the culture of a sporty and fit look.

Design of Automatic Pond Water Quality Control in Koi Fish Farm

Koi fish is a type of freshwater ornamental fish that has high economic value. Koi fish have attractive body colors and ideal body shapes so they have good sales prospects. However, koi fish farming has several obstacles, one of which is the low recovery rate and the relatively slow growth of fish. Water quality is the main parameter in the success of a fishing effort. Therefore, this study designed a tool that can help koi fish farmers in unifying the quality of pond water so that koi fish can grow and develop properly. This monitoring system is designed by implementing an automatic control monitoring system to produce good water quality for koi fish farming. Data obtained from water quality monitoring are parameters of pH, ammonia, and water temperature. The results of this cultivator's research can monitor the quality of fish pond water and immediately get water quality control automatically.

The Study of Female Anxiety in Hotel du Lac from the Perspective of Power Theory

The Hotel du Lac has long been a hub for literary research. However, less attention has been paid to the various sorts of female anxiety that appear in the novel. Therefore, this study employs Foucault's power theory to examine feminine anxiety in the book on the basis of literature research and detailed reading. Three distinct forms of anxiety in Hotel du Lac are covered in this essay. One is the stress experienced by married women. Mrs. Pusey and Monica struggled with reproductive issues and body attractiveness, catering to their husband's preferences and requirements. While the loneliness Edith's mother experienced between cultures contributed to her uneasiness in addition to her unhappy marriage. Jennifer's worry as a daughter and an unmarried lady is the second major anxiety in the novel. The last anxiety relates to Edith’s appearance, single status, and writing. However, the modest attire she insisted on, her desire for romantic love, and her insistence on making up her own stories were how she ultimately fought the male disciplinary power. According to the article's meticulous analysis of the various anxieties, the patriarchal society's power structure is found to be the main cause of women's discomfort. In order to overcome their identity concern, women are encouraged to choose an appropriate vocation and develop independent female awareness.

The Effects of Different Dosages of Pasak Bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) towards The Sex of Betta Fish Embryo

Betta fish (Betta splendens) is one of the ornamental fish that is in demand by the public because it has aesthetic value and high economic value. The attractive body color of male betta fish with long fins causes this fish to be more attractive to the public compared to female betta fish. Male betta fish have the prospect of being monosexually cultured which can be done by masculinization method. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of pasak bumi extract on the percentage of male sex ratio, hatchability and survival rate of larvae. The masculinization method is an engineering technique of administering steroid hormones that can increase the male sex ratio with using natural materials that are environmentally friendly such as pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia, Jack). Pasak Bumi contains phytosterol compounds so it can be used as a natural ingredient in masculinization applications. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Asahan University using Completely Randomized Design 5 (five) treatments and 5 (five) replications with dose pasak bumi extract is 0 mg/L; 1 mg/L; 2 mg/L; 3 mg/L and 4 mg/L. The treatment was given by soaking betta fish embryos in the Morula phase, which is about 2 (two) hours after fertilization. The results of the study show that concentration pasak bumi 3 mg/L resulted in the highest percentage of males from all treatments, which was 76.50%. The percentage of hatchability for all treatments is 100% However, the highest survival rate was found indose 4 mg/L by 65%. The research results also show found fish intersex in the treatment of 2 mg/L of 0,40% and 4 mg/L by 0,25%. Water quality during the study in the form of temperature ranged from 24.5-26.7°C; pH 5.8 – 7.1 and DO 3.5 – 4.7 mg/l.

Facial expression modifies female body perception.

The judgment of female body appearance has been reported to be affected by a range of internal (e.g., viewers' sexual cognition) and external factors (e.g., viewed clothing type and colour). This eye-tracking study aimed to complement previous research by examining the effect of facial expression on female body perception and associated body-viewing gaze behaviour. We presented female body images of Caucasian avatars in a continuum of common dress sizes posing seven basic facial expressions (neutral, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust), and asked both male and female participants to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. The analysis revealed an evident modulatory role of avatar facial expressions on body attractiveness and body size ratings, but not on the amount of viewing time directed at individual body features. Specifically, happy and angry avatars attracted the highest and lowest body attractiveness ratings, respectively, and fearful and surprised avatars tended to be rated slimmer. Interestingly, the impact of facial expression on female body assessment was not further influenced by viewers' gender, suggesting a 'universal' role of common facial expressions in modifying the perception of female body appearance.