During puberty, estrogen induces fat deposition in thighs, hips, and buttocks, leading to lower WHR, while testosterone stimulates fat storage in the abdomen, resulting in higher WHR 11, 12, 13. Moreover, body fat distribution is linked to the sex hormone status of individuals. Body fat storage is an indicator for fertility, pregnancy, and lactation 10. For example, the degree of fat storage (reflected by BMI) and its distributional pattern (reflected by WHR) may signal the health status and reproductive potential of the selected mate 6, 7, 8, 9. Several studies have discussed the evolutionary advantage of these physical attractiveness cues. Waist to hip ratio (WHR) and weight (represented by body mass index, BMI) have been highlighted in the literature as cues for attractiveness cross-culturally 3, 4, 5. Mate value is reliably signaled by physical attractiveness 1, 2. Both biological factors and social/experiential factors contribute to mate preferences in men while in women, mostly social/experiential factors contribute to them.īased on evolutionary theories, mate selection has been an adaptive challenge since the prehistoric period. Women were more consistent in their preferences for short-term and long-term relationships relative to men.

Furthermore, men and women in sports, compared to engineering students, preferred higher (p = 0.009, B = 0.201) and lower BMI (p = 0.034, B = − 0.182) for short-term relationships, respectively. For men, digit ratio was inversely associated with BMI (p = 0.039, B = − 0.154) preference in a short-term relationship, and EQ was inversely associated with WHR preference in a long-term relationship (p = 0.045, B = − 0.164). BMI and WHR preference in men is independent of each other, but has a negative correlation in women. Men relative to women preferred lower WHR and BMI for mate selection for both short-term and long-term relationships. They rated their preferred mate on 12 black-line drawing body figures varying in body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) for short-term and long-term relationships. In this study, 178 students (81 females) in sports and 153 engineering students (64 females) answered the systemizing quotient (SQ) and empathizing quotient (EQ) questionnaires and had their digit ratio measured. Mate preference in short-term relationships and long-term ones may depend on many physical, psychological, and socio-cultural factors.

The klub 17 face mate