Why Stressed-Out Men Prefer Bigger Women

Article written by guest writer Rin Mitchell

What’s the Latest Development?

Researchers say that men who are stressed-out are more attracted to heavier women. Eighty-one male participants had their stress levels manipulated and examined by researchers. The men had an “impromptu interview” in front of interviewers where they had five minutes to market themselves, and then do simple math problems under pressure. “Afterward, all the study participants were shown images of 10 women with body types ranging from emaciated to obese and were asked to rank them based on their attractiveness.” 

What’s the Big Idea?

Stressed-out men prefer a woman with extra meat on her bones versus a thinly-shaped woman. “Understanding how body preferences may change or be influenced by circumstance also sheds light on the development of warped body image.” What many people perceive as an “ideal” body—is really not that “ideal.” Researchers believe this information could help people suffering from eating disorders and other issues dealing with body image.