Why a sexy wiggle is as attractive as a good body

IN today’s selfie-obsessed world, many would say a decent figure and a pretty face is all it takes to appear attractive.

But the way a woman walks is just as important as good looks, a study has found.

In an experiment, a sexy wiggle was rated just as highly as having an hourglass figure, which previous research has found is the most attractive physical type. Lead researcher Dr Ed Morrison, of the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘Research shows we are more likely to find a woman attractive if she wiggles her hips and takes small steps.’

By using motion- capture techniques, researchers were able to assess the relative importance of figure (hip-to-waist ratio) and weight (body mass index).

Thirty-seven women had reflective markers fitted across their body and were filmed on a treadmill. Fourteen women and 11 men, who could only see the markers, ranked the clips on attractiveness.

A further 50 volunteers rated the women on how they looked in photos. The study found that a lower BMI was more important than an hourglass figure when a woman walks. Those with a BMI of 19-23 – considered ‘healthy’ – were rated most attractive based on their gait, regardless of body shape.

Dr Morrison said this may be because walking styles give ‘clues to a woman’s fitness and age – key components of reproductive health’.