Umbilical Aesthetics in Kenya: A Survey of Shape, Position, and Gender Preferences

Abstract

Background: Although the golden ratio (1.62) is frequently proposed for ideal umbilical positioning, aesthetic judgments vary across cultures and individual preferences. This survey examined shape and ratio preferences among Kenyan adults, exploring whether local norms (1.69) or the golden ratio (1.62) better match subjective ideals.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 440 participants recruited from a Kenyan referral hospital. Five umbilical shapes (oval, vertical, T-shaped, horizontal, and distorted/protruded) were digitally positioned at 1.62 or 1.69. Respondents selected their preferred position, identified most/least attractive shapes, and indicated separate choices for masculine versus feminine figures. Statistical analyses were done using χ² tests and logistic regressions.

Results: The gender distribution was balanced, with 48.9% men and 51.1% women. Overall, 55% favored 1.62 for oval, vertical, T-shaped, and horizontal shapes, whereas distorted was often chosen at 1.69 (52.5%). The vertical shape was ranked the most attractive overall (39.8%), especially for feminine figures (55.9%). Men showed significantly greater preference than women for distorted shapes (odds ratio = 2.89; P = 0.010). Oval and T-shaped were equally popular for masculine figures (29.1% each).

Conclusions: Kenyan preferences lean toward the classic golden ratio in certain shapes, but not universally. Distorted navels garnered significant support at the local 1.69 ratio, underscoring that patient desires do not strictly align with a single numeric standard. This preference-based study complements morphometric data from a companion article, highlighting the interplay between objective norms and subjective ideals in Kenyan abdominal aesthetics.

Fig. 1.

Sample survey question—Which umbilicus position is more beautiful? A, Comparison image showing umbilicus position at an X:U ratio of 1.62. B, Comparison image showing umbilicus position at an X:U ratio of 1.69.

Fig. 2.

A photograph showing the umbilical shape classification. A, vertical: a narrow, vertically oriented slit that extends superior–inferior, with minimal lateral spread and a well‑defined depth. B, T-shaped: a vertical slit topped by a small transverse limb, giving the appearance of an upright “T”; often formed by a subtle skin hood crossing the main vertical axis. C, Protruded/distorted: the umbilical stalk projects beyond the abdominal plane; contours can be smooth or irregular, sometimes mimicking a small hernia or nodular outie. D, Oval: an elongated, ellipsoidal depression whose long axis may be vertical or horizontal; margins are smooth and symmetrical, with gentle inward tapering. E, Horizontal, a straight or slightly curved transverse slit running left–right, shallow in depth and wider than it is tall, with crisp superior and inferior lips.

Fig. 3.

A bar chart illustrating “most beautiful shape” preference distribution.

Fig. 4.

A bar chart illustrating “least beautiful shape” preference distribution.

Fig. 5.

A clustered bar chart illustrating the distribution of preferences for the most beautiful shape, segmented by sex.