Barmaid, bless you, I am very proud of my body, I never 'work out' as the modern term is, I eat sensibly but the government can stuff its 5-a-day crap, what suits one does not suit all. Your body will tell you what i needs and as long as you fall within your height /weight ratio just get on with life and enjoy.
"because men are universally shallow thus demanding perfection in women"
i do not think that is the case. contrary to what you might wish to believe, a lot of men are not that fussy.
i would say it is more to do with how self-conscious women are with other women, not men. i suspect this is the reason that most women always try and aim to look and dress like other women. thats not a criticism, just a personal observation.