Researchers uncover boom and bust secrets of Playboy glamour girls
ananova.com
Changes in Playboy centrefold physiques are tied to economic conditions in the United States, researchers claim.
In boom times men prefer pictures of petite girls, but when the economy goes bust, so does Playboy, with curvier, stronger looking women, according to psychologist Dr Terry Pettijohn from Pennsylvania's Mercyhurst College.
"In short, we want someone to have fun with when times are good, and we want someone to take care of us and themselves when times are bad," he said.
Researchers compared the faces and figures of Playmates of the Year from 1960 to 2000 with an annual "hard times measure" that tracked changes in US rates of unemployment, marriage and murder during the same period.
They discovered that during difficult years models tended to be slightly older, heavier and taller, with larger waists and bigger waist-to-hip ratios.
Anna Nicole Smith, the fullest-figured Playmate of the Year to star in the men's magazine, appeared in 1993, one of the worst years on record in terms of economic and social factors.
Researchers found similar results in a study of leading American film actresses between 1932 and 1995.
Dr Pettijohn said the social and economic trends influenced Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner who always chooses the Playmate of the Year.
He said: "We assume that Mr Hefner takes public opinion into consideration." |
