What makes someone sexy? We know it when we see it, but sometimes it is hard to pinpoint the difference between an average body and an exceptional one. Reputable scientists have spent a lot of time exploring this question, and you may be surprised to learn that it all comes down to math. So what’s the equation for sex appeal?

Studies have shown that men are most attracted to a waist to hip ratio of seven to 10. Your actual weight may not matter as much as you think if you have a narrow waist compared to your hips. Scientists think this preference for an hourglass figure is tied to our drive to procreate. Men may subconsciously view a woman with this body ratio as more fertile than if she had an apple-shaped or stick-straight figure. 

“It is likely that perfect 0.7 ratio sends a biological signal to men that that woman is most fertile and most likely to produce a healthy offspring, no matter what size that woman is,” researcher Barnaby Dixson tells The Daily Mail. “It is all about the distribution of fat which is directly linked to fertility.”

If you want a narrower waist, consider investing in a tummy tuck or liposuction from board certified plastic surgeon Christopher Craft, M.D. A tummy tuck can remove excess skin leftover after pregnancy or weight loss, as well as some abdominal fat. Dr. Craft can also realign your abdominal muscles if they are weakened or stretched, resulting a leaner, tighter and more toned appearance. 

Liposuction is ideal if you are at or near your ideal weight but have stubborn fatty deposits along your waistline that you just can’t seem to target through exercise. This operation can whittle down your waist so that you are at or near your most attractive waist to hip ratio.