Women most happy with their body at the age of 34

A new study into female body image has found that women finally grow to accept their body and are most ‘happiest’ with it at the age of 34.

This is apparently the age when the majority of women will begin to love and appreciate their lumps, bumps and wrinkles.

By their early 30s, many women will have more knowledge about diet and exercise in regards to what works for them, and this is around the age when women have usually settled into a committed long-term relationship. Although model Kelly Brook, who turns 34 in November, may disagree with the last point after her controversial break-up with Rugby player Danny Cipriani, which hit headlines recently.

Celebrity skin guru, beautician Nichola Joss says: “I have female clients of all ages and those in their early to mid-thirties typically have great body confidence. They work hard to maintain the best body shape possible, are educated about eating well and treating their body with respect. This brings them satisfaction. Crucially, at 34 maturity levels are high. Many 34 year olds I know have experienced either a loving relationship or close personal friendship and these bring confidence, both inside and out.”

The new study into female body image was conducted by skin and body care firm Sanctuary Spa, and found that roughly 40% of British women will closely look at themselves in the mirror whilst naked each day, and an additional 25% looking once each week.

There are around 16% of women however who are so body conscious due to wrinkles and other problems that they simply cannot bring themselves to properly look in the mirror without clothes on.

It seems the stomach region could be contributing for a lot of the female body hang-ups, with 57% of women in the study saying they would most like to change their stomach, and indeed 10% flatly refuse to wear a bikini when they are on the beach.

Over half of women (65%) – are so fearful of revealing pictures of themselves whilst in a bikini being plastered on Facebook that they will let this fear influence their choice of attire.

On the flip side, there was some positivity from those surveyed and women seem to be most proud of their breasts (30%), legs (22%), and shoulders (19%).

In terms of their celebrity body aspirations, unsurprisingly given her nickname of ‘The Body’, actress and model Elle MacPherson has the best bikini body according to half of women, whilst Kylie Minogue claimed the most votes for best beach bum (43%), ahead of Jennifer Lopez (32%) and Carol Vorderman (8%).

Women most envy Holly Willoughby’s curves (48%), followed by Catherine Zeta Jones (22%) and Nigella Lawson (17%).

Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, ambassador for Sanctuary Spa Active Reverse Body, had the second most envied arms (25%), behind yoga enthusiast Jennifer Anniston (47%).

Bussell commented: “For me body confidence is all about being healthy, strong and happy in my own skin. I also think good posture improves confidence and can take years off your appearance. Always pull out of your waist to create space between your hips and ribs, which improves core strength and helps you to look and feel more confident.”