Anthropomorphic characteristics of centerfold models: trends towards slender figures over time.
OBJECTIVE
Anthropomorphic characteristics of centerfold models were analyzed to determine if there has been a trend towards slimmer models over the last 50 years.


METHODS
Height and weight, breast, waist, and hip measurements of 559 Playboy centerfold models, obtained from the magazine's website, were analyzed.


RESULTS
Regression analyses indicated a gradual and subtle change towards slimness. A latent class analysis yielded five basic types of figures and results indicated that the prevalence of the type of figures being depicted changed over time, with a slightly thinner figure being more common. However, really thin figures were rare until the 2000s and the probability of a model having a body mass index (BMI) < 17 was greater in the 1950s than in the 2000s.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that there has been a trend towards slimness, but that the changes have been gradual.
Seifert
Tim
T
Department of Education, Memorial University, St. John's, Canada. tseifert@mun.ca
D000886:Anthropometry; D001504:Beauty; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D012922:Social Change; D012945:Social Values; D013851:Thinness; D014481:United States