Final answer:
Women with waists 1/3 narrower than their hips are considered more attractive, as per research conducted on the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) by Singh in 1993. The WHR is also an important health indicator for risk of chronic disease and heart attacks. The WHR is a vital measure for evaluating both attractiveness and health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
People rate women with waists 1/3 narrower than hips as more attractive, according to research on physical attractiveness and its relation to body measurements. In the context of health and attractiveness, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is often used. A study by Singh in 1993 highlighted the adaptive significance of female physical attractiveness and noted the role of WHR, deeming a ratio where the waist is 1/3 narrower than the hips as most appealing, typically close to a 0.7 ratio. This standard aligns with what is considered a healthy and aesthetically pleasing body shape.
Furthermore, the WHR is also important for assessing health risks. People with "apple-shaped" bodies, with a higher proportion of weight around the waist, have been found to have higher risks for chronic diseases compared to those with "pear-shaped" bodies, which carry more weight around the hips. Hence, the WHR is not only a measure of attractiveness but also a significant indicator for health, including risks associated with heart attacks and abdominal obesity, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).