This Saturday’s Wall Street Journal features a recent study from the Face Research Laboratory at the University Aberdeen Scotland. Nearly 4,800 women from around the world rated paired pictures of men for attractiveness. The pictures showed nearly identical men, with slightly altered facial features to make one appear more feminine. Alterations such as slightly narrower jaw, rounder eyes, or thinner lips.

The findings suggest that women from countries with healthier populations prefer more feminine-looking men. Women from Belgium had the weakest masculinity preferences. Women from other Scandinavian countries with healthy populations also showed a low preference for masculine features. Mexico, Brazil, and Bulgaria with low health care scores showed the highest preferences for masculine features.

Where did the United States stand in masculinity ranking? Number five out of the thirty countries studied. Interestingly, the US ranks twentieth in health index ranking amongst the thirty nations.

Amongst the explanations offered, was that masculine features indicate higher testosterone levels, and stronger healthier men, who could father healthier children. In countries with high health indexes, women prefer tendencies, such as cooperativeness, non-aggressiveness, and interest in parenting. Men with higher testosterone are usually more aggressive, philandering, and less interested in parenting.

If the study results are correct, with our epidemic of childhood obesity, and increasing incidents of diabetes and heart disease, women in the US are sure to continue preferring Clint Eastwood and Sean Connory over Rob Lowe and Hugh Grant.