Using magazine photos from 1960 to 2000, the study maps age and physical measurements of Playmates of the Year onto contemporaneous measures of "social and economic hard times." The findings:
...when social and economic conditions were difficult, older, heavier, taller Playboy Playmates of the Year with larger waists, smaller eyes, larger waist-to-hip ratios, smaller bust-to-waist ratios, and smaller body mass index values were selected. These results suggest that environmental security may influence perceptions and preferences for women with certain body and facial features.
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