Are Curvier Women Smarter?

(CBS)  New research finds an apparent, direct correlation between women's body fat and intelligence.

As CBS News correspondent Susan McGinnis reported on The Early Show Tuesday, the study shows women with fuller, "hourglass" figures seem to be smarter, and give birth to brighter children.

The research, published this week in the journal "Evolution and Human Behavior," indicates hips don't lie. In effect, says the study of some 16,000 women, the smaller your waist and bigger your hips, the smarter you are.

And, McGinnis points out, there's a formula: Divide waist circumference by hip circumference. The lower the result, the better.

For instance, notes McGinnis, Jennifer Lopez's waist measures 26 inches, her hips, 39 -- for a waist-to-hip ratio of .66. The less curvy Keira Knightley's waist is 25 inches, and her hips, 33, for a ratio of .76.

The researchers say it has to do with omega-3 fatty acids, which gather around fuller hips and thighs, and are important for the growth of the brain during pregnancy. The curvier the hips, the higher the level of omega-3s.

It may also explain other studies that show men prefer women with a low waist-to-hip ratio.

Not only that but, according to the research, women with smaller waists and larger hips live longer!

[korinsha]

So, if I wanted to be smarter, I can stop all this education junk and pack on a few pounds? Wow! Never would''ve imagined it was that easy, lol. Thanks, but I might just study anyway. :)

[reginaelieze]

It is dumb but, at least someone is saying something positive about women that''s shaped like women. We should be tired of seeing women that look like little boys with breast implants!

[neenga]

I was excited by the headline until I read further. I''m curvy, but my butt is small ... I must be retarded.

[counterfly]

incog-nito, you are a ***.

[counterfly]

Sorry, once again, feminists: biology doesn''t give a *** about egalitarianism.

[watcher269-2009]

Who cares if they are smarter - they''re Sexier.

[stephweaver]

This was one of the worst stories that could have ever been broadcast for views on women and intelligence! Oprah Winphrey is one of the smartest women in the public eye and it doesn''t seem she''s going to make the cut on the preceived body image for qualifications as "smart" by this study.

There was so much good progress made on fighting eating disorders. Now, it appears, all that progress was erased by this broadcast about smaller waist meaning larger brains.

It''s obivious, whomever made the decision to air this story, has an inner-tube sized waist! Reconsider your broadcast....please.