Paul I Heidekrueger1,2, Sammy Sinno1,2, Neil Tanna1,2, Caroline Szpalski1,2, Sabrina Juran1,2, Daniel Schmauss1,2, Denis Ehrl1,2, Reuben Ng1,2, Milomir Ninkovic1,2, P Niclas Broer1,2. 1. Munich, Germany; New York, N.Y.; Houston, Texas; and New Haven, Conn. 2. From the Department for Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, StKM-Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching Hospital, Technical University Munich; the Department for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Hospital Munich; the Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine; the Department of Plastic Surgery, North Shore LIJ Hospital; the United Nations Population Fund, Technical Division, Population and Development Branch; the Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; and the Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale University School of Public Health.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Perception of beauty is influenced by geographic, ethnic, cultural, and demographic factors. However, objective measurements remain the foundation for aesthetic evaluations. In the quest to better define the "ideal" female buttock, this study assumes interdependence among variables such as country of residence, sex, age, occupation, and aesthetic perception, yielding a waist-to-hip ratio that appears most pleasing across most cultures and geographic locations. METHODS: An online survey was designed. Modifiable ranges of buttock sizes were achieved by means of digital alteration, enabling participants to interactively change the size and waist-to-hip ratio of a single model's buttocks. The questionnaire was translated into multiple languages and sent to more than 9000 plastic surgeons and to the general public worldwide. Demographic data were collected, and analysis of variance was used to elucidate buttock shape preferences. RESULTS: A total of 1032 responses were gathered from over 40 different countries. Significant differences regarding preferences for buttock size were identified across the respondents. Overall, 404 of 1032 of survey takers (39 percent) chose the 0.7 waist-to-hip ratio to be their ideal. Significant relationships were distilled between sex, age, self-reported ethnicity, plastic surgeons' country of residence, and ethnic background. For example, surgeons in Latin America preferred the largest buttocks, followed by surgeons in Asia, North America, and Europe, with non-Caucasians preferring larger buttocks than Caucasians. CONCLUSION: There seems to exist a global consensus regarding the ideal waist-to-hip ratio; however, multiple other factors impact the aesthetic perception of the buttocks significantly.
BACKGROUND: Perception of beauty is influenced by geographic, ethnic, cultural, and demographic factors. However, objective measurements remain the foundation for aesthetic evaluations. In the quest to better define the "ideal" female buttock, this study assumes interdependence among variables such as country of residence, sex, age, occupation, and aesthetic perception, yielding a waist-to-hip ratio that appears most pleasing across most cultures and geographic locations. METHODS: An online survey was designed. Modifiable ranges of buttock sizes were achieved by means of digital alteration, enabling participants to interactively change the size and waist-to-hip ratio of a single model's buttocks. The questionnaire was translated into multiple languages and sent to more than 9000 plastic surgeons and to the general public worldwide. Demographic data were collected, and analysis of variance was used to elucidate buttock shape preferences. RESULTS: A total of 1032 responses were gathered from over 40 different countries. Significant differences regarding preferences for buttock size were identified across the respondents. Overall, 404 of 1032 of survey takers (39 percent) chose the 0.7 waist-to-hip ratio to be their ideal. Significant relationships were distilled between sex, age, self-reported ethnicity, plastic surgeons' country of residence, and ethnic background. For example, surgeons in Latin America preferred the largest buttocks, followed by surgeons in Asia, North America, and Europe, with non-Caucasians preferring larger buttocks than Caucasians. CONCLUSION: There seems to exist a global consensus regarding the ideal waist-to-hip ratio; however, multiple other factors impact the aesthetic perception of the buttocks significantly.