Does size matter? - Economists take a look

Reuters:

They calculated that for every inch taller a man is than his speed-dating rivals, the number of women who want to meet him goes up by about five percent.

Reducing the magical chemistry of love at first sight to a set of complicated equations, researchers Michele Belot and Marco Francesconi analysed the choices made by 1,800 men and 1,800 women at 84 speed-dating events across Britain.

Each hopeful pays about 20 pounds and has just three minutes to convince a possible partner of the opposite sex.

The conclusion of the University of Essex study was blunt and to the point: "Women prefer men who are young and tall, while men are more attracted to women who are young and thin."
. . .
But, in the unforgiving numbers game of love, age is crucial.

Each extra year, in comparison with others in the speed-dating group, reduces a man's chance of finding a partner by four percent. For women it is five percent.
. . .
"We also found that an overweight woman is 16 per cent less likely to receive a proposal from men. Men, on the other hand do not seem to be penalised for being overweight," Belot said.

The survey explodes the myth that blondes always have more fun -- hair colour was not a major issue when speed-dating.

Here's the paper: Can Anyone Be “The” One, Evidence on Mate Selection from Speed Dating.

Here's what Farkers are saying about the study.

Related: Assortative mating may explain growing income inequality in the US.

UPDATE: Via Mankiw comes this - WaPo reports today's men find women with graduate degrees more attractive according to empirical research by economist Elaine Rose.