The Facts Behind the ‘Bootylicious’ Phenomenon

In the past few years, it seems the desire for a curvy backside has sky-rocketed.  This may be due to the popularity of celebrity figures celebrating their voluptuous shapes.  Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez are just two examples of the love of the derierre.

Did this phenomenon for a rounded backside just surface over the last few years or has this ideal been around forever? Not to get too technical, but when defining physical attractiveness between human beings, three factors are considered: (1) universal opinions common across the human race, (2) specific cultural or social aspects and (3) an individual’s tastes.

Among the universal opinions lies the WHR (waist-to-hip) ratio.  WHR is calculated by measuring the circumference of the natural waist (just above the belly button) and dividing by the hip circumference (at the widest part of the buttocks and hips). Historically, it has been used as an indicator of one’s health. When looking for a partner, men subconsciously look for a female with good health – one without signs of obesity and one with a strong shape to bear children – one with a desirable WHR, around 0.7.  That number is hard to gauge, so here’s a mental picture, Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe both averaged a 0.7 WHR.  In today’s society, both Salma Hayek and Jessica Alba fall in the same range.

For those of us that don’t necessarily fit into that WHR range, a buttock enhancement or Brazilian Butt Lift procedure can you get closer to the curves you’ve always desired.

In the end an individual’s tastes is the main factor.  As much as we’d like to give Beyonce credit for this new found desirable shape – it’s been centuries in the making.