Study: It Pays To Be Thin (If You're A Woman)

Well, this is disturbing, but not all that shocking. A new study has found that skinny women bring home more bacon than those of average weight, and much more than those who are overweight. The NY Post reports that the Journal of Applied Psychology's research discovered being 30 pounds below the average American female weight of 164 pounds can garner you around $10,719 more than the average woman's pay of $40,000 a year. Make that 60 pounds less and you can make around $22,300 more per year!

This trend goes the other way too, if a woman is 30 pounds overweight, she's looking at $9,873 less than that average. (And if you're a model, you can just forget about keeping your job at all!) One 125 pound account manager in Manhattan declared, "It makes sense that women who might be more image-conscious would be in higher-paying jobs, because they understand the importance of image."

But what about the men? Men who are 30 pounds overweight make $7,775 more than the average man's salary of $53,000 a year. So, how many step backwards is this?

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By Jen Carlson in News on October 8, 2010 2:37 PM

Comments [rss]

rdayk

For a woman who is the average height of 5'4", 164 lbs. is a bit high, but it's the average weight, which takes into account the half the population who is overweight. However, if you are taller than average, let's say, 5'7" with a 31" inseam and on the busty side, 164 lbs. is not excessive. It's actually just about right.

As far as the pay correlation, we're not talking about slender women making more than fat women, but downright anorexic women making the most of all. Women who weight 104 lbs. or less make the most money. There is no mention of height, so let's assume these high earners aren't unusually short. Average American woman is 5'4", and at 104 lbs. she is anywhere from 10-47 lbs. underweight. Being 47 lbs. underweight is downright dangerous and not something to which women should aspire.

There is definitely something wrong here, but it's doubtful that it can be fixed. Women's perceived capability in any job - even one that has no contact with the public or any particular "image" required - is dependent on their sexual attractiveness.

John L

It's not really about weight or discipline, basically the more fuckable a woman is, the more money she'll make. It probably works the same for men if their boss is a women.

John L

oops meant to say "if their boss is a woman"

Brainwash

I would pay more for a hot employee. Probably a lot more after the law suit.

henryhamilton

The AVERAGE american female weighs 164 pounds? Sounds a little high.

nicemarmot

I don't know. I was always an average weight and got average pay. My husband has gained weight over the years, and has also increased his pay. But his pay didn't increase because he got fatter - he got fatter because his job is so stressful and such long hours that he doesn't have time to work out anymore. The fat came after the pay increase, not before.

hotstepper

i prefer lovely women who enjoy eating bacon more than bringing it home.

cutlass

Or, it could be that women that are overweight have somewhat slovenly habits, which manifest themselves in the workplace come raise and promotion time. Or it could be that women that make less money have less access to the things that make one weigh less - like decent stores and gyms. But let's go with the shocked outrage - for a change.

Nyctini11

I think as far as the overweight man making more... Lets find out what weight they started their jobs at, you'll probably notice their waistline increasing with the pay & position increases. Plus it's been universally studied that better looking people(not just weight, but overall attractiveness) tend to have higher paying jobs.

dept54321

Call it the Alec Baldwin Effect.

eyekantspel

also men tend to make more, and get fatter, with age.

Guest

Why do people keep paying for studies that are downright obvious? I'm going to fund a study to see if studies cost too much to study.

Nyctini11

They keep paying because it thin, pretty people giving them!

JenChungsBaby

Maybe the type of women who have the disclipline and desire to remain thin are the same type who have the discipline and desire to do well in their careers.

GREGORYABUTLER

Maybe bosses discriminate against heavyset and average sized women, and show favoritism to slender women.

eyekantspel

maybe fatties suffer from low self-esteem and have other issues that prevent them from being successful

The Great Arturo Bandini

Get ready for the Sex and the City Threequel:

Skinny, horse-faced WASP bitches took my job! or The Revenge of Sarah Jessica Parker