Hourglass Figures - Headed for Extinction?

In the days when Marilyn Monroe was the ultimate pin-up girl, the ideal figure was an hourglass one: Big in the bust, small in the waist, big in the hips. You don't see that kind of shape much on the red carpet these days. Instead, the bobble-head look seems to take precedence.

But even out of the spotlight, in the homes of the average folk, it seems the hourglass is disappearing -- we're carrying more weight in our tummies than our hips, according to recent studies, and our hip-to-waist ratios are going down, especially in cultures where women tend to be more financially independent. And our jobs are to blame.

"According to anthropologist Elizabeth Cashdan, high-powered working women are less likely to have the classic shape of a tiny waist with wide hips and large bosom due to the stress levels associated with their jobs," say the findings, found here. "As a result, working women today are more likely to have a more 'straight up and down' figure."

You might be able to live with the extra belly fat, but your body can't -- carrying extra padding around your waist is really unhealthy. Whatever your body shape, you should aim for a healthy BMI through a nutritious diet and plenty of exercise.