Responses to the body esteem scale (Franzoi & Shields, 1984) and multiple regression were used to determine if evolutionary biological theory is relevant to an understanding of self‐perceived physical and sexual attractiveness and self‐esteem and to determine if physical and sexual attractiveness are the same construct. It was hypothesized that regression models of physical and sexual attractiveness would differ within and across sex groups and that models of self‐esteem would differ across sex groups in accordance with evolutionary theory. These hypotheses were supported. Attributes of the body related to fecundity and successful mothering characteristics predicted for women and attributes of the body related to strength and dominance predicted for men. In addition, attributes of the body dealing with sexual maturity were stronger predictors of sexual attractiveness. Physical and sexual attractiveness are not the same constructs. This research indicates that evolutionary bological theory can provide relevant insight for an understanding of self‐perceived attractiveness and self‐esteem.

Skin color in relation to self-esteem and self-perceived physical, sexual, and global attractiveness was examinedfor a sample of9J African Americans. Based on marketplace theory and prior research, interactions of sex and skin tone were hypothesized. Fair-skinnedfemales were expected to have higherself-esteem and self-ratings of attractiveness than dark-skinned females. Dark-skinned males' ratings were expected to be higher or not different from those of fair-skinned males. Results obtainedpartially supported the hypotheses. Dark-skinned males' self-ratings of sexual attractiveness were higher, whereasfemales'ratings did not difer No significant effects occurred for other types of attractiveness or selfesteem. Results are discussed in terms of marketplace theory, stereotyping, and the exclusion of males from measures/changes designed to address skin-color biases in the Black community and society.

No abstract

Skin color in relation to perceived attractiveness, personality ratings, and perceived life success of African Americans was investigated in a 2 (sex of participant) 2 (skin color of stimulus person) 2 (sex of stimulus person) design. Based on prior research, Skin Color Sex of Stimulus Person and Sex of Participant Skin Color interactions were hypothesized. Lighter skinned African American women and dark-skinned African American men were expected to receive higher attractiveness, personality, and life success ratings from White participants. In addition, women were expected to rate dark-skinned individuals higher. The results obtained supported the hypotheses for perceived life success only. African American women with fair skin were rated higher than fair-skinned African American men on intelligence and parenting skills. In addition, women rated dark-skinned individuals higher than men did on intelligence. Women also rated the dark-skinned individuals higher than fair-skinned individuals on enthusiasm. Findings are discussed in terms of marketplace theory.!

The role of African American skin color in hiring decisions was investigated in a 2 × 2 × 2 (Participant Sex × Applicant Sex × Applicant Skin Color) design. College‐age participants (N= 107) were presented with stimuli and asked to make 8 employment‐related decisions. An interaction of applicant skin color and participant sex and a skin‐color main effect were predicted. Fair‐skinned applicants were expected to receive better ratings from men, while dark‐skinned applicants were expected to receive better ratings from women or ratings from women would not differ. Additionally, in general, fair‐skinned individuals were expected to receive better ratings than dark‐skinned individuals. The results were consistent with the hypotheses. Results are discussed in terms of the “what is beautiful is good” stereotype and prior research.

verweight and obesity (OW/OB) are pandemic. The accelerated increase of OW/OB in children and adolescents is alarming as several studies suggested that approximately 80% of childhood OW/OB tracks into adulthood. 1,2 In 1978, approximately 15% of the Canadian population between ages 2 to 17 years were considered OW/OB; in 2005, that figure was nearly doubled. 3 Unlike mortality or life expectancy, for which there is a clear disadvantage for those with lower income, the relationship between income and obesity is not clear. 4 This suggests that OW/OB affects the entire population. As OW/OB in adults is a wellknown risk factor for a number of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, [5][6][7] there is a clear need to address the development of obesity in childhood. The root cause of OW/OB is an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, but the underlying causes of OW/OB are much more complex and numerous. Environmental, behavioural, social, cultural and genetic factors all contribute to its development. [8][9][10] Emerging evidence suggests that sleep may play a role in the development of OW/OB. A number of studies have identified a negative association between the duration of sleep and the risk of obesity in both child and adult populations. [11][12][13] However, research in the area of sleep behaviours and the risk of obesity is limited. Therefore, in this study, as part of an ongoing cohort study conducted in southern Ontario, Canada, we examined whether sleep difficulties, as reported by parents and reflected by certain sleep behaviours, are associated with OW/OB status among a preadolescent population. METHODSData are from the PHAST (Physical Health Activity Study Team) study conducted among preadolescents in Niagara Region. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Research Boards of both Brock University and District School Board of Niagara (DSBN). There are a total of 97 public schools within DSBN. In 2004, approximately 2,200 students in grade four, aged 8-9 years, from 75 schools were involved in a longitudinal cohort study to examine the relationship between developmental coordination disorder and its risk factors. 14 The students' height, weight and waist girth were assessed biannually for the first three years and annually thereafter. Height and weight were measured using a Seca portable stadiometer and Tanita electronic weight scale, respectively. Waist girth was measured using standard protocols. Height and waist girth were measured to 0.1 cm and weight was measured to 0.1 kg. Weight and height were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Students were categorized into either OW/OB or nor-

Abstract:Evolutionary theory based research shows that attractiveness is based on biological correlates that index appropriate estrogen and testosterone levels. Symmetry affects or plays a role in the perception of many of these correlates of attractiveness. Additionally, since attractiveness affects infidelity perception and reactions, sexual satisfaction, and personality perception, symmetry also affects these areas. This paper reviews the literature on symmetry showing how symmetry affects: the correlates of attractiveness, sexual satisfaction, personality, and infidelity perceptions and reactions.

Evolutionary biological theory has been shown to be relevant to an understanding of how individuals assess others' physical and sexual attractiveness. This research used the Body-Esteem Scale and multiple regression to determine if this theory is also relevant to an understanding of self-perceived physical and sexual attractiveness and self-esteem for a sample of 91 African Americans. The hypotheses that regression models of physical and sexual attractiveness would differ within and across sex groups and that models of self-esteem would differ across sex groups in accordance with evolutionary theory were supported. Attributes of the body related to fecundity and successful mothering characteristics predicted for women and attributes of the body related to strength and dominance predicted for men. In addition, attributes of the body dealing with sexual maturity were stronger predictors of sexual attractiveness for women. This research indicates that evolutionary biological theory can provide relevant insight for an understanding of self-perceived attractiveness and self-esteem for African Americans.