Formulating for the perfect body shape

Introduction: weight may not be the problem

If you pick up any women's magazine or look at the female section of a tabloid paper, the
chances are there will be a piece written about dieting. Most of us have at least one friend
who is keen to discuss the successes and failures of their latest diet 'fad' and if you are ever
stuck for a topic of conversation, then try talking about food and see how soon the
conversation moves swiftly from swopping recipes into the successes and failures of various
diets, not to mention everyone's personal storey about weight-gain and or loss. It is so easy
to become obsessed with weight and Body Mass Index (BMI), i.e. our weight in kilograms
divided by the square of our height in meters, (WHO, 1995), when actually, for most of us, it
is more sensible to concentrate on perfecting our body shape than worrying about our
weight. After all, common sense tells us that attractive looking people come in all sizes.

Obesity
The total number of overweight Europeans is rising and it is therefore quite right for
governments to be concerned about obesity, however; as fortunately most of us are not
seriously over-weight, we can leave the worrying about increasing obesity to the politicians.
It is still only a minority of Europeans (less than 25%), who suffer with real obesity
(Nordqvist, 2011). True obesity is when a persons excess body fat adversely affects their
health. You would be considered to be obese when your BMI exceeds 30 kg/m
2
. BMI values
that are between 2529.9 kg/m
2
are categorised as overweight. Normal people have BMI
values between 18.524.9 kg/m
2
and people with BMI equal to or less than 18.5 kg/m
2
are
considered as underweight. If you are worried and do not know your own BMI then there are
many websites that can help you to quickly do the calculation. At the time of writing this
article, these two websites were especially useful:

(1) www.eufic.org/article/en/rid/eufic-bmi-calculator/
(2) http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

So as, statistically speaking, it is likely that most readers visiting these websites for the first
time will be pleasantly surprised to discover that their BMI is normal; we can carry on
enjoying food and eating healthily while concentrating on getting into shape.
Figure 1 shows Google Trends estimate of interest in the terms 'body shape' and 'body
mass index'. Clealy a decreasing number of internet users are typing 'body mass index' and
an increasing number are writing about and searching for 'body shape'


FORMULATING FOR THE
PERFECT BODY SHAPE
IMCD Personal care Business Group

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Formulating for the perfect body shape
Figure 1 Google Trends estimate of interest in the terms 'body shape' and 'body mass
index'.



Focus on shape
Very small changes in shape will soon be noticed and be remarked upon. It is encouraging
to see just how a subtle change in shape can make a big difference to your 'over-all look'.
The tremendous scientific effort being exerted by 'computer vision researchers' working on
automated face recognition systems is revealing how our brains 'lock onto' only a few
specific aspects of an image in order to 'recognize' and then to 'judge' what is seen. Their
aim is to develop computer controlled systems that can equal and eventually out-do human
performance. As a consequence of all this work, we are beginning to appreciate just how
much human vision relies on quite subtle differences to recognise and appreciate 'beauty'.
Although it is important to mention here how 'beauty' is obviously very subjective. The actual
reasons why some people are considered more beautiful than others are very complex and
varied. One recent research paper presents evidence that shows how the generally
accepted male preference for women with a low waist-to-hip ratio is not culturally universal,
as had previously been assumed. To complicate the situation further, it has been shown in
one trial that women preferred computer-generated faces that were more masculine than
feminine, when they were 'most fertile' (Douglas and Shepard, 1998). However, even though
there is little agreement on what the actual 'ideal shape' should be, most of us know how we
want to 'improve' our shape and it is reassuring to know that we can. A small change in our
body shape can make a big impression on our image and 'positive self-perception'. Each of
us can easily measure how our shape has improved, not by a smaller BMI but by an
increased 'BCI' (Body Compliments Index), i.e. the number of times friends say how great
we look.




Formulating for the perfect body shape
Cosmetic body shaping products 'for less effort'
Working out is not for everyone, although undoubtedly it is the best, tried-and-tested, way to
take charge of your body shape. Body care products, once developed solely for athletes, are
now being designed for those of us who want the 'most reward' for the 'least amount of
effort'. Cosmetic brands are launching body care products marked with the promise that they
will help you to tone and improve your body shape by addressing the biomechanical
qualities of skin. For example, the marketing message that accompanies Beiersdorf's Nivea
Q10 plus Firming Body Lotion, tells us that stress, environmental factors and UV light all
accelerate the natural depletion of Q10 in the skin's cells, which results in our skin appearing
less-firm and less-toned. We are told that natural co-enzyme Q10 can help combat further
loss of elasticity. Formulators have access to many other skin firming and toning actives and
these actives can also be used in body shaping products. Another popular product, VLCC's,
'Shape Up Body Firming Lotion' is said to be a unique moisturiser with a skin firming
formula. This product is said to be an effective firming aid that helps tighten loose, sagged
skin. It is enriched with a special blend of natural essential oils, including sweet fennel and
lemon grass that aid cellulite correction and help with skin rejuvenation. Their formula is
designed to help restore collagen and hence again, work as a firming agent. Regular use is
said to help to tone and tighten the skin to deliver, smooth, supple and moisturised skin.
Bliss has their very popular FatGirlSlim range that will soon include the Bliss FatGirl lean
machine, which will lift, vacuum, roll and pulsate, cellulite away. This spa-powered system
will combine a high-tech vacuum massager with their clinically proven skin-firming cream, to
help smooth and tone the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite. This 'system' has been
designed to help reduce visibly the appearance of cellulite and assists in smoothing and
toning the skin. It is said to be for people who want their legs, buttocks and abs to have a
more contoured look. Note that Bliss have their 'machine' paired with their clinically-tested
FatGirlSlim Skin Firming Cream, which they stress, is, not a weight or fat loss product but a
product. When it is massaged into trouble spots on the body, twice a day for 20-30 seconds
as part of a body-bettering routine, helps users achieve goals such as slimmer-looking
thighs and firmed up 'trouble spots'. Bliss also recommends that their caffeine-infused body
care cream is used in conjunction with regular exercise, a healthy diet and regular vigorous
massage. Their other FatGirlSlim products include waist-targeting cooling gel with 8-hour
release caffeine. Lovehandler which, targets the waist area with extended-release caffeine
and a cool burst of mint oil.

A lot of other brands are using caffeine as their main active and so are taking the topical
double-espresso approach to help users get into shape. Not every brand is a fan of caffeine.
Some rely on blends of botanical extracts, which may or may not naturally contain caffeine
and related molecules. Ultimo, a UK company who are seriously addressing body shape
(and are renowned for their special bras) have developed their Utan Self-Tan range, which is
formulated with wild indigo flower and also rainforest extracts, which together are
engineered to improve the appearance of skin for smoother, firmer contours plus assists in
re-shaping and re-sculpting the body. Their Utan products contain their Tanning Complex,
based on Soliance's Vegetan, which is natural dihydroxyacetone (DHA). For those who are
not interested in getting an instant tan while they get into shape, Ultimo also have their
USculp range with 'Three dynamic hero products' that target the most vulnerable areas of
the body i.e. Bust, Bum, Legs and Tum.

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Formulating for the perfect body shape
Active ingredients for body shaping
A search of botanical data bases such as Alban Muller International's Encyclopdia AMI
(http://www.encyclopedie-ami.com/en/) or (http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/) will reveal plants
that are useful for body shaping. A quick survey of European body shaping products, show
most of them include caffeine. The efficacy of the body shaping products, which do not
contain caffeine, is mainly based on familiar skin firming botanicals and actives, especially
on those, which are claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, while slowing down
their breakdown. A small group of Body Shaping products also contain ingredients that help
skin appear more radiant and 'glow' and so add to the impression of 'the healthier' image.
The sun tan look is very popular in the UK, where fifty shades of grey is as much the
weather forecast as a book title, so it is easy to see why UK brands often include DHA. The
more prestigious brands are now looking to sophisticated finished products such as
Sampar's 3-day weekend for inspiration and so are also including peptides that encourage
natural tanning such as Lucas Meyers' Melitane. Melitane is a peptide agonist of -
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (-MSH). It belongs to a family of peptides that can mimic
the peptides in our bodies, which function as cell to cell signaling molecules. Because -
MSH in skin, initiates melanin synthesis and so leads to better skin tone, the Melitane in
body shaping products should also help improve skin colour tone. Another approach to body
shaping is to encourage the user to massage the area in question, for as long as they can.
Massaging encourages micro-capillary flow and so generally helps metabolism and can be
thought of as a localised 'work-out'. Products with prolonged rub-in-times that also feel
delightful will be so nice ti use that they encourage the user to spend more time massaging
and so increase the benefits of massage. For the folk who want the most reward for the least
amount of effort and cannot be bothered to even massage, then there are a few botanical
extracts available that will increase micro capillary flow. These can be used in formulas
designed to be used in place of massage and so be considered as 'liquid massage'. For
example is catuaba (erythroxlum catuba), cayenne pepper (capsicum minimu), ginger root
(zingiber officinale), Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo biloba), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), jiaogulan
(gynostemma pentaphyllum), lotus (nelumbo nucifera), schisandra (schisandra chinensis)
and there are many more.




Caffeine and other xanthine derivatives
We are all familiar with caffeine. It is the most widely used neurostimulant in the world. It
also has a long history of safe use in topical products. Recently it was shown that caffeine
will inhibit phosphordiesterase and so can also aid in lipolysis (fat breakdown). A simple
ingredient review by market research companies such as Mintel will soon confirm that
caffeine is 'king' amongst the actives used in body shaping products, as well as being an
important active in other products such as those aimed at reducing dark circles under the
eyes. It is well known that caffeine is the main neurostimulant in coffee; however, the lesser
known, similar xanthine derivatives such as paraxanthine, theobromine and theophyline may
also be present in coffee in coffee at much lower levels than the caffeine. They too are
bioactive and will work together synergistically. These molecules are chemically very similar


Formulating for the perfect body shape
and because of the way plants synthesise and metabolise them, they are naturally found
together, not just in coffee but also in drinks such as tea and chocolate. They may all
therefore, also be found in the extracts from coffee beans (Coffea arabica), tea leaves
(Camellia sinensis ) and cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao) used in personal care products.
The effects of xanthine derivatives on our metabolism have been very well studied. Although
structurally the look very similar when they are drawn in text books, the slight differences, in
say the position of a methyl group (CH
3
) can result in a big difference in their physiological
effects. For example, unlike the other xanthine derivatives, it is known, that when coffee is
ingested, the caffeine, which crosses the blood-brain-barrier, produces cerebral
vasoconstriction by antagonizing adenosine receptors. It has been observed in people who
drink large amounts of coffee that, over time, the body adapts by increasing the number of
these receptors (Johansson et al., 1997; Shi and Daly, 1999). The withdrawal headaches,
often reported by heavy caffeine users, correspond with increased cerebral blood flow, 20-
24 hours after abstaining from caffeine (Couturier et al., 1997) and it is inferred that the extra
flow is due to 'these additional' receptors, which are no longer antagonized by chronic
caffeine levels. These affects are not seen with the other xanthine derivatives.

Xanthine compounds have multiple shared as well as unique properties. They generally can
be very useful in topical products for a number of very good reasons. For example the main
xanthine derivative found in tea is theophylline. Theophylline can act as a smooth muscle
relaxant so help with fine lines. Another common xanthine derivative is paraxanthine, which
is strongly linked to increased lipolysis in the lipid storing cells (adipocytes). Theobromine
(the main xanthine derivative in chocolate) is a powerful vasodilator and, as we know that
having a good capillary blood flow to the tissue can help metabolism by ensuring efficient
'waste removal' as well as good nutrient flow, it is easy to see how lotions, which include
theobromine, can be beneficial and, as discussed earlier, can be thought of as 'liquid
massage' either replacing massage or encouraging the micro capillary flow to carry on long
after the massage has finished.



Encapsulated Caffeine
The innovative teams at both Salvona and Lucas Meyer have encapsulated (or vectorized)
caffeine to aid its delivery. Salvona's SalSphere Caffeine contains 10% Caffeine. The
caffeine is delivered slowly onto the skin to give a more enduring efficacy. Lucas Meyer's
Ecoslim is natural caffeine vectorized in a complex of phospholipids and green coffee
extract (INCI: Caffeine (and) Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract (and) Lecithin). This
vectorized blend is said to have lipolytic and draining action making it very suitable for
slimming action. Lucas Meyer's clinical studies with another of their body shaping
ingredients, known as Adiporeguline, (INCI: Caffeine (and) Sodium Salicylate (and)
Lysolecithin (and) Hydrogenated Lecithin (and) Aspartame (and) Glycine Soja (Soybean)
Germ Extract (and) Silica (and) Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract), show that this complex
blend of actives with caffeine, decreases thigh circumference, possibly by inhibiting

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lipogenesis via the insulin regulated glucose transport protein receptors (Glut 4 receptors),
which are expressed primarily in fat cells, and by activating lipolysis, stimulating both
triglyceride hydrolysis and removal. Lucas Meyer have recently launched their Body3
Complex, a 3-in-1 Body Skin Enhancer consisting of a blend of unroasted shea butter and
avocado seed extracts in bentonite (INCI: Bentonite (and) Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea)
Butter Extract (and) Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract). This blend of actives is
believed to activate lipolysis in a different way to the xanthine derivatives. It works through
the ZAG pathway. ZAG is a lipolytic factor produced by normal adipose tissue but its
expression is low in obesity. ZAG not only increases lipolysis in white adipose tissue through
the classical cyclic AMP pathway, but also stimulates an increase in the expression of
uncoupling protein-1 in brown adipose tissue, which would then encourage the released
lipid to be converted into heat (Tisdale, 2009). Lucas Meyer has data from in vitro, clinical
and consumer trials to support their claims and recommends Body3 Complex 3-in-1 Body
Skin Enhancer for body products including those designed to reduce the appearance of
stretch marks.
Heat and Horror and actives that work through adrenaline alpha2 receptors
As brown adipose tissue is responsible for keeping us warm and shivering turns mechanical
energy into heat, its amusing to speculate that our increasing obesity problems (not to
mention our energy crisis) could be resolved by simply turning the thermostats in our office
and home heating systems down. Similar lateral silly thinking, involving now our 'fight and
flight' response, leads to the idea that a weekend watching the type of horror movies that
cause frequent bursts of adrenaline should also result in some weight loss. Why? Because
adrenaline is a powerful hormone that switches on lipolysis in order to ensure that we have
sufficient energy available to enable us to take flight and escape from danger . say a
sabre tooth tiger. OK the concept is not intended to be taken seriously, especially if you have
a weak heart, however there are actives available that 'work' via the adrenaline receptors on
adipose tissue and so can be used in body shaping products to help encourage fat
breakdown. One popular example is Lucas Meyer's Lanachrys, which binds to the
adrenaline alpha2 receptors. It is a natural botanical extract of chrysanthellum indicum,
which is known to contain active flavanoids (flavanomarein, marein, maritimein, luteolin).
This approach is very different to the other actives already mentioned, which makes it
tantalizingly tempting to formulate with combinations of Lanachrys and the other actives to
create a 'super effective' blend.

Botanical extract blends, algae for the ABC of Body Shaping
It is normal for every commercial extract to have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) and in
many cases the MOQ may be much greater than a smaller brand needs for all their annual
production. This can be especially punishing when efficacy such as we see with body
shaping products, demands the use of several extracts. Ingredient suppliers do help
formulators avoid this punishment by creating a blend of extracts and actives such as Alban
Muller International's Lipidamix Slimming a blend of Bladderwrack, Ivy and Meadowsweet
each with proven efficacy. Bladderwrack is used for its slimming and draining properties.


Formulating for the perfect body shape
Meadowsweet is included for its toning action, and Ivy for its cellulite-reducing virtues. The
concentration of each extract in the blend can be optimised (for efficacy and synergy), such
as in the already mentioned Body3 Complex, leaving the formulator to concentrate on
perfecting their final product. Another excellent example of such a blend is Alban Muller
International's Slimming Phytoamine Biocomplex INCI: Coffea arabica (coffee) extract (and)
Camellia sinensis leaf extract (and) Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) leaf extract (and)
Aesculus hippocastanum (horse Chestnut) extract (and) Centella asiatica extract (and)
Serine (and) Proline. This blend of botanical extracts with added amino acids includes two
extracts known to encourage lipid breakdown, another botanical extract to help all the
extracts penetrate, an extract to stimulate collagen synthesis and a forth botanical extract to
trigger micro capillary circulation. The two key amino acids (proline and serine), are included
to contribute to skin's elasticity and hydration. Slimming Phytoamine Biocomplex has been
tested for efficacy. Nineteen female volunteers aged between 18 and 55 years with
moderate levels of localised fat, tested a base cream with 5% Slimming Phytoamine
Biocomplex. The test cream was applied to the right thigh from the hip to the knee by
massaging until it had completely penetrated.

Algae, botanicals and actives
The combination of laminaria digitata extract, sphacelaria scoparia extract, terminalia Extract
with tocopherol and phospholipids in Nikkosome Slim SLT has been shown to enhance
lipolysis and increase water loss from adipose tissue. When Nikkosome Slim SLT was used
at 10% in a base formulation, ten women with the average age of 37.5 years achieved a
mean reduction in the size of their waists of 2.5 cm; they lost an average of 1.5 cm off their
calves and 1.5 cm off their legs. Another supplier, Soliance, can claim to have the ABC of
body shaping actives and have recently added a fourth active Pro-DG (for body shaping and
antiaging). Their ABC sculpting actives are as follows:- A for Abdoliance, (to reduce love-
handles), which is an optimised blend of natural extracts, guarana and bitter orange,
encapsulated in their patented Spherulite technology to enhance delivery. Abdoliance
targets male specific enzymes, leading to a visible decrease of the hypodermis thickness
around the waist. In vivo tests show significant waist size reduction (of up to 4.5 cm) in just
one month; B is for Betaphroline, (for slimming & well being). This special extract is made
from the seeds of Tephrosia purpurea (also known as wild indigo), a revered Indian tree.
Betaphroline stimulates fat breakdown through its action on two enzymes. Firstly,
Betaphroline can inhibit G3PDH by up to 60% its normal activity and secondly, it can
activate adenylate cyclase by up to 85% its normal activity, which results in an overall
increase in lipolytic activity that has been shown in vitro to be comparable with theophylline
and forskolin. Betaphroline also simulates keratinocytes to release beta-endorphin and so it
is suitable for well-being ranges; C is for Commipheroline (for breast enhancing).
Commipheroline is made from the resin exuded by the India tree, Commiphora mukul. Its
volumizing effects are due to the sum of the tiny increases in the size of each of the
individual fat cells after application of Commipheroline containing products. In vivo studies
have shown breast size enhancement of up to 4 cm in 6 weeks. The latest product from
Soliance is Pro-DG (for body shaping and antiaging). Over time, our body is influenced by
internal and external factors that affect our body shape. Age, hormones, low physical activity
and an unhealthy diet are some of the factors that lead to increase of fat storage and loss of
shape. Soliance believe that the effects of time and life style can be delayed. They have

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Formulating for the perfect body shape
selected special microalgae, Dysmorphococcus globosus, to extract an ingredient with
exceptional slimming properties. Pro-DG, provides unique slimming efficacy by inhibiting
lipid storage and by stopping triglycerides synthesis. Adipose tissue treated with Pro-DG has
increased cAMP activity, which results in increased lipolysis. Pro-DG also encourages
glycerol release from the cells. Pro-DG has also been shown to inhibit triglyceride synthesis
by up to 85% and together these effects result in visibly reduction in fat cells size within 7
days. Pro-DG targets adipose tissue and can be applied on the thighs or the abdomen at as
little as 3% in cosmetic formulas. Pro-DG's slimming action has been shown to be effective
by in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo tests. It can significantly reduce thigh circumference by 1.5 cm
in 56 days.

Power of Buds
Botanical extracts tend to be made from seeds or specific parts of the mature plants
however a few botanical actives are now being made from plant buds (blastocytes). The bud
is a mass of stem cells that will go on to produce the mature plant tissue (Ttau, 1959).
Analysis shows that germinating buds are quite different from the mature tissue. They are
'concentrated packets' of the molecules needed for healthy growth. For example,
blackcurrant buds can contain 4-8 times more pycnogenols than the leaves. Buds may also
have a different composition to the mature tissue. As seen in linden tree buds which (unlike
linden tree leaves), can contain both the molecules associated with the mature flower and
also the molecules associated with the mature wood. Interesting, IMCDs GemmoDrain (a
Sorbus Domestica extract ) has been shown to increases blood flow by up to 56% so is
another candidate for 'liquid massage products.


Fig buds have been found to have a special application in body shaping male bodies. They
are traditionally used to regulate the appetite, act against excess of weight and against
compulsive eating. Fig buds are rich in flavanoids like chlorogenic acid and so when IMCDs
GemmoSlim, an aqueous/alcohol/glycerin extract of fig (Ficus Carica) Bud was tested on
human adipose cells for its ability to switch on lipolysis in adipocytes and shrink their size.
Data for 2.5% & 5% GemmoSlim on adipocytes showed significant increase in lipid break
down and a decrease in the larger adipocytes (10000 and 15000 m) and an increase in
smaller adipocytes (4000 and 10000 m). In a clinical study, slimming gel with 5% of
GemmoSlim was used by a panel of 20 Men aged from 29 to 40. They applied the
slimming gel twice daily on the abdomen for 56 days. Using 3D optical method (FOITS) to
measure the abdomen volume and Centimetre measurement to evaluate the circumference,
an abdomen volume reduction of up to 6.2% and up to 2 cm reduction in waiste
measurement, was achieved. Even better results were obtained when The GemmoSlim
and GemmoDrain were combined. They were shone to have significant synergistic effect
on lipolytic activity and slimming activity on women's thighs whe trialed with 21 panelists
aged 27-49 yrs (BMI 19-25 kg/m2, stable weight with less than 2 kg variation). In vivo
efficacy wasalso demonstrated using ''Profilometry'' analysis of pinched thighs to
demonstrate the significant anti dimple effect after twice daily for 28 days and 56 days of
applying a gel containing 2.5% GemmoSlim and 2.5% GemmoDrain. The test involved
using a compression system especially designed to exert a tangential pressure to the
surface of the skin.


Formulating for the perfect body shape
The results were as follows:
Mean Depth of dimples on randomized thigh
6.2% after 28 days
7.2% after 56 days
Decrease in the deepest dimples
6.9% after 28 days
9.2% after 56 days
After 2 months 75% of the women obtained an improvement in cellulite



What is the Ideal Body Shape
A lot has been written about what the ideal male body should look like. Obviously, this is
very subjective and depends on what a man himself wants and believes makes him
attractive. A Cambridge University study where 700 women aged between 19 and 65 were
interviewed and shown pictures of 30 male body types, the women were quick to discard
pear-shaped and skinny looking bodies, leaving those who had lean hips, trim waists and
broad shoulders (V-shape) as theones they found most attractive (Sidhuon, 2009).
There is a wide range of normal female body shapes and all have their place so, despite
individual's preferences, there is no single ideal female shape. Female figures are typically
narrower at the waist than at the other inflection points, i.e. the bust and hips. The ratios of
the circumferences of these inflection points are used to define the basic body shapes.




Aging, Hormones and Bust Size
Body shape changes as we get older due to tissues generally gradual getting weaker and to
the more drastic effects of hormones on the distribution of fat throughout the body. Estrogen
influences where body fat is stored, promotes breast development and a wider pelvis that
tilts forward for child bearing. At pubity and until menopause, a woman's oestrogen level will
encourage excess fat to be deposited in the buttocks, hips and thighs but generally not
around her waist. Hence women's waisthip ratio (WHR) is lower than men's. Pregnancy
obviously results in changes in shape and menopause, when the levels of oestrogen fall,
also results in body shape changes as fat is redistributed from a female's buttocks, hips and
thighs to her waist or abdomen. As we age there is a general weakening in structural
supporting tissue and high, rounded breasts eventually start to sag (Singh, 1993).




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Caution
Users of Body Shaping products should be careful for what they wish for because a study
that examined the perception of body shape and body satisfaction among 25 male and 165
female undergraduates had t he students completing a four part questionnaire: (1)
anthropometric data; (2) figure rating scale; (3) cognitive attitude toward body size; and (4)
satisfaction with body characteristics. The male ratings of the Ideal figure, the figure of how
they currently thought they looked and the figure of how they felt most of time were almost
identical, as were the figure of what they thought was most attractive to women and the
figure of how they thought others saw them. However the results were very different for the
female students. Their ratings for the Ideal figure were significantly thinner than their
perception of their current figure, the figure as others saw them, and the figure they felt most
of time. Furthermore, the female figure that women rated as most attractive to males was
thinner than the figure that males actually preferred. Interestingly, male judgments of the
male figure most attractive to females were heavier than female ratings of the same. Both
males and females failed to determine what the opposite sex would find attractive. Males
overestimated and females underestimated the body size attractive to the other sex.
Although over half of the male and female subjects reported their body size as In-between,
more males wanted to gain weight and more females wanted to lose weight to present their
Ideal body shape. Furthermore, males were biased toward being satisfied with their body
and females were biased toward being dissatisfied with their body. Additionally, the number
of females satisfied with hands and dissatisfied with upper thighs and buttocks was higher
than that of males (Shih and Kubo, 2002).



Conclusion
The consumer is going to be offered an increasing number of body care products designed
to help them improve their shape of their bodies. You do not have to become obsessed with
exercise to get into shape. A small pysical change can be percieved as a major
improvements in looks, so all of us can now seriously take more control over our shape.
Remember, common sense tells us that attractive looking people come in all sizes but
science is proving we come in prefered shapes.













Formulating for the perfect body shape
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