What type of male body do women find most attractive? Research results may surprise you

Forget sculpted abs and hours in the gym; a new survey suggests that women find the "dad bod" more attractive than a highly muscular physique. The term, which describes men who are neither extremely muscular nor overweight, often with a softer stomach or a few extra pounds, has gained popularity as a more natural and relatable body type.

An extensive poll of 2,000 respondents revealed that a significant 58% of women selected the "dad bod" as their most appealing male body type. This preference is often linked to a perception of a more relaxed lifestyle and approachability. In contrast, men with highly defined muscles were sometimes seen as less accessible or overly focused on their appearance.

The "dad bod" is not indicative of poor fitness or obesity but rather a lack of a strictly athletic build. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Jon Hamm, and Chris Pratt are cited as examples of this physique. Following the "dad bod," an athletic build received 22% of the votes, while lean physiques garnered 10%, heavily muscled men 6%, and those with significant excess weight attracted 4% of the votes.

Interestingly, the survey also highlighted a divergence in preferences between genders. While women favored the "dad bod," men more frequently chose an extremely muscular and very lean body as their ideal, suggesting a strong influence of social media and peer perception on male body image ideals. Ultimately, the article emphasizes that every body is different, and the ideal is one that is healthy and in which the individual feels best.