Doctor Recommended

Hourglass Figures and Plus-Sizes

Playboy Models' Curves May Be Sign of the Times:

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - "Boom or bust" may take on new meaning as researchers theorize a link between U.S. economic conditions and subtle changes in Playboy centerfold physiques.

According to researchers, a comparison of the faces and figures of Playmates of the Year from 1960 to 2000 suggests men may prefer stronger-looking women in hard times, and softer, more vulnerable types when bull markets resume.

"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," said psychology researcher Dr. Terry F. Pettijohn II, of Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The study, co-authored by undergraduate student Brian Jungeberg, was presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, in Atlanta.

Previous research has suggested that ideals of beauty and sexual attractiveness change between cultures and over time. A handful of studies have discerned a slight trend toward thinner bodies among both Playmates and Miss America (news - web sites) contestants over the past few decades.

However, according to Pettijohn, his study is the first to consider "how social and economic conditions may have influenced these changes."

In their research, Pettijohn and Jungeberg created an annual "hard times measure" by tracking changes in U.S. statistics on unemployment, marriage, homicide and other factors for the years 1960 through 2000.

Then, using clear, front-on photographs of Playboy Playmates of the Year for each of those 40 years, the two researchers made precise measurements of key face and body dimensions.

Comparing models over the years, the researchers discovered that, in hard times, Playmates tended to be slightly older, heavier and taller, with larger waists and bigger waist-to-hip ratios. Smaller eyes -- a feature linked to "stronger" faces -- were also predominant.

As an example, Anna Nicole Smith (news - web sites), the fullest-figured Playmate of the Year ever -- graced Playboy's pages in 1993, which Pettijohn called one of the "worst" years on record in terms of economic and social factors.

On the other hand, during more affluent periods the average Playboy subscriber's fancy appeared to turn to softer, more girlish types. Playmates of the Year during "good times" tended to be younger, shorter, thinner models, with smaller waists and bigger eyes.

The boom years of the early 1960s, for example, produced both the youngest-ever Playmate of the Year (18-year-old Donna Michelle, 1964) and the lightest (102-pound June Cochran, 1963), according to Pettijohn.

These trends came as no surprise to Pettijohn, who said the findings are in line with psychology's "environmental security hypothesis," which posits that people look to potential mates for support in tough times and more carefree fun when the living is easy.

"People who we are attracted to is a product of how secure we feel in our current environment," he told Reuters Health.

But since Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner has always chosen the Playmate of the Year, might trends in Playmate measurements simply reflect changes in 'Hef's personal tastes?

Pettijohn is doubtful.

"Playboy regularly asks for reader input on the issue, including submitting letters, mailing voting cards, calling a hotline, or voting online," he said. "We assume that Mr. Hefner takes public opinion into consideration."

I really don't know, looking at all the pinups covering my walls, I'd have to say that I'm an equal opportunity pinner-upper, regardless as to the prevailing economic conditions. Though, since I rotate wives every year, I have observed that the waist and eye size apparently are taken into consideration subconsciously, as have bank account and pension fund sizes.

And is anyone else reminded of that episode of The Simpsons where the teachers go on strike and residents of the neighborhood become the replacement teachers? Remember Jasper (the old fellow) who gets his beard stuck in the pencil sharpener? Despite the fact that his beard is not getting untangled, he continues unabated, drawing his beard closer with each crank. The actions of the Federal Reserve over the past two and a half years remind me of the same process – only, they've turned the sharpener knob 13 times and still have not gotten a clue.

If only they had as many centerfolds as I do, here's hoping for that epiphany.

Posted by Tim at June 25, 2003 11:11 PM | TrackBack