TORONTO, December 19, 2002 -- A new study examining trends in Playboy centrefolds concludes the shapely bodies traditionally associated with centrefolds are giving way to a more androgynous body type.

Highlights of the study, conducted by lead researcher Martin Voracek, a research resident at the University of Vienna Medical School, and Maryanne Fisher, a doctoral candidate in York’s psychology department, appear in the current issue of the British Medical Journal, published yesterday.

The study, which reviewed the measurements of centrefold models in 577 consecutive issues of Playboy magazine, found that, over time, "centrefold models’ shapely body characteristics have given way to more androgynous ones." This trend, note the researchers, is "at odds with claims that centrefolds’ body shapes are still more ‘hourglasses’ than ‘stick insects’, and that the most sexually attractive female waist:hip ratio is stable."

Fisher noted, "Ideals for body mass index and waist:hip ratio for health purposes are also supposedly the most sexually attractive to men, and should not be subject to change over time. However, we found significant temporal change in body mass index and waist:hip ratio."

The study has significant medical and public health related implications. Fertility, endocrinology, risk for disease and longevity are all related to body mass index (BMI) – the relationship between weight and height – and waist:hip ratio (WHR). In addition, the results of this study contradict a previous examination of Playboy, which concluded there had been no change over time in WHR.

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For further information, please contact:

Martin Voracek	Maryanne L. Fisher	Cim Nunn
University of Vienna Medical School	Department of Psychology	Director, Media Relations
martin.voracek@akh-wien.ac.at	York University	York University
	mlfisher@yorku.ca	416-736-2100, ext. 22087
		cimnunn@yorku.ca

YU/119/02