Culture insider: When did women begin to prefer slim look?

"Thinner, a bit thinner!" Having a slender figure is the trend for women worldwide. But it was not the case at the beginning of civilization.

When and why did people begin to dislike obesity? How did the slim trend come into being? Here is a view into its past.

To ancient people, the perfect woman is pear-shaped

If there was a time machine, people distressed by obesity would probably want to return to the Stone Age, when the ideal physique of women was round all over.  To ancient people, a round woman was incredibly sexy!

The trend can be found by looking statues from that time. One of the most famous statues is the Venus of Willendorf who represents the "Mother Goddess". In ancient times, women were revered for being givers of life. And so, breasts that have felt the affects of breastfeeding were super sexy.

Woman of Willendorf, a statuette of a female figure estimated to have been made somewhere around 28,000 and 25,000 BCE in Austria. [Photo/Beijing World Art Museum]

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