All Woman
  • Home
  • Relationships
  • Features
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Health & Fitness
  • Your Rights
  • Parenting
  • Advice
    • Home
    • Relationships
    • Features
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Health & Fitness
    • Your Rights
    • Parenting
    • Advice
All Woman
 on June 17, 2012

Men prefer curvy women: study

By NADINE WILSON All Woman writer wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com 

FROM ingesting potions to going under the knife, women have been known to do whatever it takes to get that size zero figure often portrayed as the ideal on magazine covers and in TV shows.

But there are a number of reasons you should love your curves, especially if they do not pose any threat to your health. While it might seem that the skinny chick seems to have everything going for her, more and more studies are showing that men love your curves more.

One study reported in the scientific journal Perception and carried out by the Scotland based St Andrews University, found that men considered curvy starlets like Jennifer Lopez and Scarlett Johansson more attractive than super skinny fashionistas like Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham.

The study involved men ages 18-26, who were asked to rate the attractiveness of 84 female students of the same age based on photographs. The young men felt those with 18.5 to 25 body mass index (BMI) were more attractive.

“This sends a strong message to all the girls out there who believe you have to be underweight to be attractive,” said one of the researchers in the study, Professor of Psychology David Perrett.

According to male specialist Marlon Moore, Jamaican men usually exhibit different tastes based on their socio-economic backgrounds and personal preferences. However, he finds that local men “generally go for the big bottom, broad hips and small waist”.

He pointed out that the general construct of the size zero stick thin woman which is often glamorised as being the most attractive in European countries does not necessarily apply here.

Jason Reid said like most of his colleagues, he tends to go for ladies with curves.

“You grow up in a culture which says that Coca-Cola bottle shape is sexy and so you just naturally look for that,” said the accounting executive, who pointed out that men tended to see the girl with large breasts and buttocks and a small waist as the most ideal.

Horace Williams, part time lecturer in the Department of Cultural Studies at the University of West Indies, Mona campus, also found that a lot of men tended to display a preference for big bodied women. He believes part of this attraction is also based on the fact that some men are of the view that the size of a woman’s hips can determine her level of fertility.

“The perception of the pelvic area is that when you have a certain type of appearance it suggests a woman being far more fertile,” he said, while adding that this also goes for taller females.

But despite suggestions that men love plus-sized ladies, 36-year-old Anne-Marie Stewart said most of the guys she comes across take issue with her figure.

“I feel bad because sometimes you will see a guy that you like and because you are fat, they don’t pay you any mind,” said the self-proclaimed “fluffy diva” who weighs a little over 200 pounds.

“I started going to the gym to lose weight and even when you are there, the guys tend to flirt with the skinnier girls and overlook you,” she said.

Moore said there are those men who prefer their women looking toned, but for the most part, the general preference is that she has to have some meat on her bones.

{"website":"website"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
ALSO ON ALL WOMAN
Trelawny women tell their stories
All Woman
Trelawny women tell their stories
December 1, 2025
AFTER Hurricane Melissa destroyed her house in Cotton Tree, South Trelawny, leaving her and three children homeless, Kaydian Mendez is grateful as one...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Joining the rally for women’s rights after IDEVAW
All Woman, Relationships
Joining the rally for women’s rights after IDEVAW
JEVAUGHNIE SMITH 
December 1, 2025
EVERY year, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) on November 25 reminds us that violence against women isn’t a dis...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Hubby got POORER, not richer
All Woman, Relationships
Hubby got POORER, not richer
CHRIS BRODBER 
December 1, 2025
Counsellor, When we got married I understood and was fine with ‘for richer or poorer’ as we both had big dreams and wanted to build together. However,...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Can this marriage be saved?
All Woman, Relationships
Can this marriage be saved?
Marie BERBICK-BAILEY 
December 1, 2025
SOMETIMES marriage feels like a toothpaste tube you’ve squeezed dry. Every ounce of patience, love, and effort seems gone. The fights have left scars,...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Placenta consumption: What modern women need to know
All Woman, Health
Placenta consumption: What modern women need to know
Dr Daryl Daley 
November 30, 2025
ACROSS social media and wellness platforms, one trend continues to gain attention: placenta consumption, also called placentophagy. From placenta smoo...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman", "jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jervian Johnson and the strength of unshakeable faith
All Woman, Features
Jervian Johnson and the strength of unshakeable faith
November 24, 2025
IN a world where engineering and manufacturing are still too often defined by metal, machines and men, Jervian Johnson is quietly but powerfully rewri...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman", "jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
UNiTE to end digital violence against all women and girls
All Woman
UNiTE to end digital violence against all women and girls
November 24, 2025
FROM November 25 — recognised as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) — to December 10, we’re marking 16 days of a...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman", "jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
On re-marrying an ex
All Woman, Features, Your Rights
On re-marrying an ex
Margarette Macaulay 
November 24, 2025
Dear Mrs Macaulay, My ex-husband and I were married for 18 years, but I divorced him eight years ago in the United States (US) and remarried. My ex-hu...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman", "jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯
Scroll
Polls
Trelawny women tell their stories
All Woman
Trelawny women tell their stories
December 1, 2025
AFTER Hurricane Melissa destroyed her house in Cotton Tree, South Trelawny, leaving her and three children homeless, Kaydian Mendez is grateful as one...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Joining the rally for women’s rights after IDEVAW
All Woman, ...
Joining the rally for women’s rights after IDEVAW
JEVAUGHNIE SMITH 
December 1, 2025
EVERY year, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) on November 25 reminds us that violence against women isn’t a dis...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Hubby got POORER, not richer
All Woman, ...
Hubby got POORER, not richer
CHRIS BRODBER 
December 1, 2025
Counsellor, When we got married I understood and was fine with ‘for richer or poorer’ as we both had big dreams and wanted to build together. However,...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Can this marriage be saved?
All Woman, ...
Can this marriage be saved?
Marie BERBICK-BAILEY 
December 1, 2025
SOMETIMES marriage feels like a toothpaste tube you’ve squeezed dry. Every ounce of patience, love, and effort seems gone. The fights have left scars,...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Placenta consumption: What modern women need to know
All Woman, ...
Placenta consumption: What modern women need to know
Dr Daryl Daley 
November 30, 2025
ACROSS social media and wellness platforms, one trend continues to gain attention: placenta consumption, also called placentophagy. From placenta smoo...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman", "jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Archives
Polls
Recent Posts
Trelawny women tell their stories
All Woman
Trelawny women tell their stories
December 1, 2025
AFTER Hurricane Melissa destroyed her house in Cotton Tree, South Trelawny, leaving her and three children homeless, Kaydian Mendez is grateful as one...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Joining the rally for women’s rights after IDEVAW
All Woman, ...
Joining the rally for women’s rights after IDEVAW
JEVAUGHNIE SMITH 
December 1, 2025
EVERY year, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) on November 25 reminds us that violence against women isn’t a dis...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Hubby got POORER, not richer
All Woman, ...
Hubby got POORER, not richer
CHRIS BRODBER 
December 1, 2025
Counsellor, When we got married I understood and was fine with ‘for richer or poorer’ as we both had big dreams and wanted to build together. However,...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Can this marriage be saved?
All Woman, ...
Can this marriage be saved?
Marie BERBICK-BAILEY 
December 1, 2025
SOMETIMES marriage feels like a toothpaste tube you’ve squeezed dry. Every ounce of patience, love, and effort seems gone. The fights have left scars,...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman"}
Placenta consumption: What modern women need to know
All Woman, ...
Placenta consumption: What modern women need to know
Dr Daryl Daley 
November 30, 2025
ACROSS social media and wellness platforms, one trend continues to gain attention: placenta consumption, also called placentophagy. From placenta smoo...
{"xml":"xml"}{"allwoman":"All Woman", "jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Archives
All Woman
Jamaica Health, Beauty, Weddings &` Motherhood Stories for the Jamaican Woman.
Sections
  • Relationships
  • Features
  • Fashion
  • Health & Fitness
  • Your Rights
  • Parenting
  • Advice
  • Relationships
  • Features
  • Fashion
  • Health & Fitness
  • Your Rights
  • Parenting
  • Advice
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved