
Is Skinny on Its Way Out? Study Shows that Muscular Women Are Considered More Attractive than Thin Peers

Almost every woman wishes that she could have the body of a Victoria’s Secret Model or a beauty pageant winner – but surprisingly, models don’t even find their own stick-thin, leggy figure, desirable. According to a recent study, society’s perception of what an ideal female body should look like has evolved with time, and skinny females aren’t considered as attractive.
Fitness Models Become Popular
Female representation in the fitness industry has been growing over the past few years as the hashtag #strongnotskinny takes over social media and several models and celebrities take it to Instagram and Snapchat to show off their muscular bodies. Fitness bloggers such as Kayla Itsines have also turned into international celebrities with millions of female social media followers, who are inspired to get a toned body like their fitness idols.
Instagram has especially played a crucial role in making the fitness trend popular among women as millions of photos of strong, athletic women are considered as ‘fitspiration’ for social media followers. It’s safe to say that skinny is on its way out as strong, fuller, stronger physique gains popularity among women.

Apparently, society’s perception of what an ideal female body should look like has evolved with time, and skinny females are no longer the most attractive ones
Evolving Beauty Standards in the Pageant Industry
Recent studies used judging criteria for popular beauty pageants as well as ratings from women across the country to show how much the perception of a perfect female figure has evolved in the United States. Two studies were conducted at the University of Missouri by Fraces Bozsik and his team who looked into Miss USA competitions over the past several years to determine how the judging criteria for the beauty pageant has evolved.
The contestants of the competition are judged mostly on their appearance and how well they hold up to the current beauty standards of the industry. The researchers took photographs of Miss USA beauty pageant winners from 1999 to 2013 and showed them to almost 80 women in the university asking the participants to rate the bikini-clad winners in the photographs depending on how attractive, skinny and muscular they looked.
Through the participants ratings, researchers concluded that Miss USA winners, although still as slim as they used to be two decades ago, had become increasingly muscular over time indicating that the perception of an ideal female body had changed in the pageant industry and the current beauty standards leaned more towards a slim and athletic figure.
Strong is Better than Skinny

The ideal female body has now changed and the current beauty standards are leaning more towards a slim and athletic figure.
Another study conducted at the same university and by the same research team asked 64 female undergraduate students to observe the same model in two different images, one in which she appeared slim and the other slim and muscular. The researchers had used a photo editing software to smooth out the model’s muscle definition to create two different images of her body for a fair comparison.
Participants were first shown the two images separately and asked them to rate each as attractive or unattractive. Then, both images were presented together for comparison and participants were asked to identify which image they found more attractive.
The Role of Social Media Celebrities in Promoting Muscularity Among Women
Upon seeing the photographs of the model separately, almost all participants rated both body types as attractive but when asked to compare the images side-by-side, the muscular physique won the popular vote. Bozsik commented on the results of the study saying that muscularity and leanness are the signs of physical fitness, which is often perceived as attractive in the eyes of men and women. Moreover, A-list female celebrities and top models are promoting a fit, healthy lifestyle and encouraging their millions of female fans to lift weight and become stronger.
Social media has also played a part in making muscularity more common among women. Currently, the hashtag #strongnotskinny has over 6 million posts on Instagram from women all around the word sharing their weight loss and fitness journey. Where the fear of getting bulky had once forced women to steer clear from heavy weights, the strong muscular appearance is now considered a desirable physical trait.
More in Fitness
-
`
Katy Perry’s Weight Loss Journey: Secret Diet Tips Revealed
Katy Perry’s weight loss journey has been making headlines, with the pop star shedding 20 pounds over the past few months....
October 16, 2024 -
`
Celebrity Trainer Jeanette Jenkins Shares 5 Key Workout Motivations
Jeanette Jenkins is one of the most sought-after celebrity trainers, known for her ability to motivate and inspire people to achieve...
October 8, 2024 -
`
How to Spot Lung Problems Early and Protect Your Health
Lung problems can sneak up on anyone, affecting breathing and overall well-being. Recognizing early symptoms can be crucial in preventing severe...
October 2, 2024 -
`
How to Get Into ‘Breaking Shape’ | A Guide for First-Timers
Breaking is not just a dance style. It is a full-body workout. To get into breaking shape, you will need more...
September 27, 2024 -
`
What to Do If You Mess Up Your Diet: A Recovery Guide
Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to diet. It’s natural to wonder what to do if you mess up your diet,...
September 19, 2024 -
`
Did Charles and Alyssa Break Up? The Signs That Have Fans Concerned
Did Charles and Alyssa break up? This question has taken over social media, sparking a wave of concern among the couple’s...
September 11, 2024 -
`
5 Essential Health Activities You Should Keep Track of Every Day
What should you track every day for health? Well, to maintain your well-being it is crucial to keep track of everyday...
September 6, 2024 -
`
Can You Work Out After Getting Blood Drawn?
A blood draw is a common procedure in healthcare, often used to monitor health or screen for various conditions. While it’s...
August 30, 2024 -
`
Does Mushroom Coffee Help You Lose Weight – Or Is It Just Hype?
Mushroom coffee has quickly become a buzzword in the wellness world, with enthusiasts praising its unique flavor and supposed health benefits,...
August 23, 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login