Every year after the age of 25, the average
American gains one pound of body weight yet loses one third to
one half pound of muscle. Consequently, our resting metabolism
decreases approximately 2% to 5% every decade after 25 years
of age (Evans 1992). Proper exercise and sound eating habits
can reverse this process and restore the appearance of our figure
or physique. But, what constitutes a beautiful or aesthetically
attractive body?
Bodily beauty has been described as the average of everyone.
In other words, if everybody's visual traits were reduced to
numbers and the average of the numbers where converted back to
a human figure, this average of the human image would constitute
ideal beauty.
According to evolutionary psychology, the attraction to bodily
characteristics is said to be biologically innate. Early humans
were attracted to particular physical traits in the opposite
sex; an attractive individual was, and still is, perceived by
having traits conducive to optimal procreation. The classic female
figure suggests fertility. For women, fuller breasts and hips
1/3 wider than the waist, or a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7 is considered
the ideal. A smaller waist suggests youth and greater fertility.
Similarly, the early male physique implied protector and provider.
For men, a more muscular physique with wider shoulders and a
waist to hip ratio of 0.9 is considered more attractive. A larger
waist would signal ill health and, thus, bad genes. We have inherited
the physical and psychological characteristics of the winners
of this evolutionary beauty contest.
It also appears that beauty is defined by cultural constructs
that continue to change throughout time. Ideal beauty also varies
in different societies around the world. Western culture at this
time has embraced the fashion model as an exemplar - greatly
because we are constantly inundated with these images which are,
ironically, far from the norm. We find beauty in physical traits
we see often, particularly those images portrayed in the media.
However, those images are often unrealistic for us to acheive
ourselves. Just looking at a fashion magazine tends to leave
women less satisfied with their weight and size (Turner et al.
1997). In fact, people with eating disorders are much more likely
to report being influenced by unrealistic body images in the
media (Murray, Touyz & Beumont 1996). Interestingly, due
to various editing and imaging techniques, not even models or
actors are as attractive as their own image.
Variations
in body shape are dictated by differences in the size, shape,
and proportion of muscle, fat, and bone. The distribution of
body fat has more variation in its shape and size than does muscle.
A greater than normal fat content can increase the likelihood
one's body shape will vary from the norm. Certainly there are
those who can maintain an attractive body at a higher-than-normal
body fat. Their genetics for fat distribution allows them to
maintain normal shape and proportions despite their higher body
fat.
Visual aesthetics involve the compliments of lines, shapes,
and proportion. The irregular lines and shapes of an unfit body
results in its less-than-ideal beauty and aesthetics. The combination
of muscle building and fat loss can restore bodily aesthetics
and beauty.
In today's sedentary society, many individuals have significantly
less muscle mass and more fat than what they had when they were
younger. Likewise most of us probably have less muscle and more
fat than what we would of had if we would have lived hundreds
of years ago, performing daily manual labor. Exercise and sound
dietary modifications can restore more normalized proportions,
curved segments, posture,
and lines associated with an attractive body.
"Man tries to exaggerate what nature has given him,"
Charles Darwin (1809-1882).
