Mean hip circumference ranged from 94-105cm and from 97-108cm in men and women, respectively, and mean WHR from 0.87-0.99 and from 0.76-0.84, respectively. Together, height, body mass index (BMI), age group and population explained about 80% of the variance in waist circumference.
There is no particular hip size that is the most attractive. Instead, hip sizes about 1.4 to 1.5 times the waist size are considered the most appealing. For example, for a person having a waist circumference between 24 to 28 inches, a hip size of 36 inches would be regarded as the most attractive.
Industry standards set a size 8 at a 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the survey, white women ages 18 to 25 came in, on average, 38-32-41, with white women ages 36 to 45 coming in at 41-34-43. (Barbie, long the plastic bane of body image, is said to have measurements that project to about 39-18-33.)
Since obesity is a risk factor for hypertension, losing weight can help prevent the condition. Men with hip sizes more than 40 inches and women with hip sizes more than 35 inches are more susceptible to developing hypertension and must focus on losing weight.
Waist to hip ratios
Healthy women have ratios of 0.67 to 0.80 while healthy men have 0.80 to 0.95. For attractiveness, ideal for men is 0.90 and female ideal is 0.7 (for Western populations only).
A waist circumference of greater than 40 inches for men and greater than 35 inches for women is considered indicative of abdominal obesity. It carries with it increased risk for: Heart disease. Diabetes.
What should your waist measurement be? For men, a waist circumference below 94cm (37in) is 'low risk', 94–102cm (37-40in) is 'high risk' and more than 102cm (40in) is 'very high'. For women, below 80cm (31.5in) is low risk, 80–88cm (31.5-34.6in) is high risk and more than 88cm (34.6in) is very high.
Changes to the Buttocks, Hips, and Thighs
Extra fat also tends to accumulate around the hips and buttocks. This tends to be more pronounced in women than in men given the gendered differences in fat accumulation and distribution. Widening of the hips and buttocks can lead to a distinct pear shape.
According to the class 12 CBSE Health and Physical Education textbook, 36-24-36 is considered the best shape for females.
You can be at a healthy weight but have too much fat around your midsection. A good rule of thumb is that your waist should be smaller than your hips, no matter your weight or BMI.
Many believe an hourglass body shape translates to bust-waist-hip measurements of approximately 36-24-36 inches, respectively.
Other studies have shown that wide hips in women are associated with health and reproductive potential, so the attraction makes evolutionary sense.
This risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men. To correctly measure your waist, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.
For your best health, your waist should be less than 40 inches around for men, and less than 35 inches for women, although it may vary depending on race or ethnicity.
The current Guinness World Record holder for the world's smallest waist is Ethel Granger, of the UK, whose waist measured 13 inches. The record was set in 1939.
In general if you're a woman, you want a measurement that's less than 34.5 inches. If you're a man, a number below 40 inches is ideal. A measurement that's higher than those isn't a death sentence, but it has been strongly linked with a higher risk of several serious diseases including type 2 diabetes.
In general, keep waist circumference to less than half your height. For example, for a 6-foot man (72 inches), a healthy waist size would be anything less than 36 inches. For a 5-foot-2 woman (62 inches), a healthy waist size would be anything less than 31 inches.
Waist-to-height ratio.
Ideally, your waist measurement should be less than half of your height. (So if you're 5 foot 6, or 66 inches, your waist circumference should be less than 33 inches.)
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a strong predictor of women's physical attractiveness. The “ideal” value varies, but it is always low relative to men's or the average female WHR.