20080131
20080130
Why Kylie Minogue could have the perfect legs
By Laura Clout
Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 17/01/2008
Scientists have discovered the secret to the perfect pair of legs - an extra five per cent.
Research found that the average woman - at around 5ft 4in tall with an inside leg measurement of 29in - would need shapely 30.5in legs to reach perfection.
Kylie Minogue is only 5ft tall, but has legs that are proportionally long compared with her small frame
However, very long legs are not necessarily better because the study also showed that those with an extra 10 per cent were actually rated as less attractive.
The findings could explain the sex appeal of stars such as Kylie Minogue, the singer, who despite being only 5ft tall, has topped polls of the "best celebrity legs".
Although her legs are petite, they are proportionally long compared with her small frame. It could also explain why women often choose to wear high heels, giving the illusion of longer limbs.
Polish researchers at Wroclaw University asked 218 male and female volunteers to rate, in order of attractiveness, seven silhouettes of a man and woman.
advertisementAlthough the images were the same height, each had different leg lengths. The most attractive were judged to be those with legs that were five per cent longer than average.
The average British man, at 5ft 10in with an inside leg measurement of 31in, should have an inside leg measuring 32.5in.
Dr Boguslaw Pawlowski, who led the study, said that long legs signal health.
He said that short legs are linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes and with higher levels of a body fat called triglyceride, which is linked to the clogging of the arteries, heart disease, strokes and insulin resistance in men.
Although the study, reported in New Scientist, was limited to Polish people, Dr Pawlowski suspects the results would apply across most Western cultures.
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20080124
De Niro, Minogue pose for Camera
Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:56pm EST
30 Nov 2007
COLOGNE, Germany (Hollywood Reporter) - Robert de Niro and Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue will receive Germany's top show-biz honor, the Golden Camera, at this year's ceremony in Berlin, organizers announced Wednesday.
De Niro will receive a lifetime achievement award, while Minogue will be honored as best international music act.
Much like a local version of the Golden Globes, Germany's Golden Cameras award excellence in film, television and music. The Golden Camera gala is the top show-biz event on the German calendar.
Previous international Golden Camera winners include George Clooney, Nicolas Cage, Cate Blanchett, Steven Spielberg and Bruce Willis.
Now in their 43rd year, the Golden Camera awards are presented by German publishing giant Axel Springer and Horzu, the country's leading TV listings magazine.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
© Reuters 2008 All rights reserved
