Stress may change the body type that men seek out in women, new research suggests. (Getty Images)

By DR. TIFFANY CHAO, ABC News Medical Unit

Aug. 9, 2012

Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but stressed men prefer heavier women -- at least according to a new study.

In this study, published Wednesday in the journal PLoS ONE, researchers at the University of Westminster in London subjected 41 men to a stress-inducing task. After this task, the researchers asked the men to rate the attractiveness of female bodies ranging from emaciated to obese.

Compared to a control group of 40 men who did not undergo the stress task, the stressed men rated a significantly heavier female body size as the most attractive, and they rated heavier female bodies as more attractive in general.

"Our body size preferences are flexible and can be changed by environment and circumstance," explains Martin Tovee, one of the study's authors. "We need to understand the factors shaping body preferences."

In this case, it appears that stress alters the classic stereotype that men prefer thin women in general.

Researchers not directly involved with the study said the finding is consistent with what past work has shown regarding the way stress influences our perceptions.

"Stress, both acute and chronic, has profound effect on how we process new information both cognitively and emotionally," explains Dr. Igor Galynker, associate chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Beth Israel Medical Center.

In fact, earlier research has shown that men also prefer heavier body sizes when resources are unpredictable or unavailable. Certain evolutionary theories suggest this may be because when times are tough, a thin woman may be ill, have irregular periods, and may be unable to support pregnancy.

"If you live in an environment where food is scarce, being heavier means that you have fat stored up as a buffer and that you must be higher social status to afford the food in the first place," Tovee explains. "Both of these are attractive qualities in a partner in those circumstances."

The study also found that the stressed men gave higher ratings to a wider range of female figures than did their unstressed counterparts. This may have implications about how we choose the people to date and marry. For example, do men in high-stress jobs look for overweight mates, or are their standards lower?

"In this case, mate selection criteria may become more liberal as a way of preserving the species," explains Scott M. Bea, clinical psychologist and assistant professor of medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. "We have some proverbs that reflect this idea such as, 'Any port in a storm.'

"This is probably not just true of physical attractiveness or mate selection. For instance, if one is homeless, we might accept lodging that others would view as inferior."

As for how this research might be useful, understanding how different factors influencing peoples' body shape preferences and ideals may prove valuable in the treatment for body image disorders. After all, if body shape preferences are flexible, thinness may not be the ideal body type that we think it is.

"The information from this article could be useful in therapy of anxiety and eating disorders," Galynker says.

"The information could be an alternative to thoughts such as, 'I am fat; no man would find me attractive.'"

I guess there must be a LOT of stressed out guys around here.

I feel the same about stress as I do about headaches, it's better to give than to receive. lol

I have an extremely stress filled vocation, but I drink and fuck A LOT, and rarely feel stressed out, and no I don't fcuk members of the OTHFB club. lol

I have a lot of stress and seeing a fat girl is the farthest thing from my mind. That is nothing more then a "feel good" article.

..that after a stressful day, all they would be looking for is a nice comfortable pillow to rest their head on.

But athletic....you know...athletic

And the scores of 8's and 9's on so many can't possibly be wrong...can they?

And just for grins...what is mature?

A full fridge does sound appealing.

Most of those are way beyond baby fat. I think they call themselves mini BBW's. Whatever.

since as everyone knows, I am the epitome of immature.

but where it comes to providers, I would say mature is pseudonymous with "really fucking old"

As for "athletic", I think it means, "runs to the refrigerator every five minutes" lol

words to live by. lol

Back in the economically depressed 50s it was voluptuous types like Marilyn Monroe, then in the go-go 60s it was Twiggy.

When the times get tough, we all want a little something extra.

When it say's "baby fat" on the profile...

Expect a beached whale!

I am so confused with the classifications on body types here! I am a size 10... Never been able to fit in plus sizes nor have I ever needed to shop in a plus size store... I am labeled as "baby fat" on TER and some guys think I am BBW only to find out I am not. I would think I am average but I guess compared to skinny girls 18 yr olds I am not. Totally secure with my size and very athletic/ active everyday. So am I a small BBW?
As far as stressed men liking women with meat on their bones, could it be that they crave the matronly, nuturing appearance of a full sized woman? The fact that after a stressed filled day, a heavier girl can take a good pounding or cook a good meal possibly alleviating the stress from the day? Interesting article and good info too keep in mind for a baby whale! LOL! Guess I will start considering stress levels while stress relieving! LOL!

I don't know about "Big", but from your picture angles etc.   You are way more than baby fat, but less than BBW.  It is all in the eyes of the beholder. It is in every person's preference.  Not good or bad, different tastes for different people. Some like spinners, some like BBW, some like everything in between.  

In general, show an honest picture.  Let the hobbyiest decide if they want to play.  Damn the titles.

I would consider this....a little plump!!

According to the following news report, I'm plus size...

If that's plump then I'm a body builder.

(And I ain't no body builder!)

I'm 5'7", and 135 lbs. Which by modeling standards means I'm too short, and overweight...

It just shows how worthless the whole body type thing is with TER, it's all a matter of perspective.



-- Modified on 8/10/2012 5:19:23 PM

-- Modified on 8/10/2012 6:47:42 PM

crushing on Nyx since she replied to my dancing hurdler thread!
Hey is this a shill? No because it is not a threadstarter, and I am just replying to someone else!
And if she is "plus sized," I guess my tastes just changed to plus sized women!

Oh and here's a refresher of that little dance vid. I had to look at it again so I figured I'd post the link again.