Stress makes men like heavier, curvy women

ISTANBUL

Physical maturity may convey independence, and strength that look good in a partner during tough times.

Men under stress desire heavier, full-figured women over thinner women, men’s health news has reported, quoted a study published in PLoS ONE.

British researchers have showed stressed and unstressed men photos of female bodies varying in size and shape. Men rated normal weight and overweight women significantly more attractive when they were under stress. Tense men also preferred a wider range of female body sizes than their stress-free counterparts.

In deducing why stress might shape men’s judgment of a woman’s body size, the researchers pointed to previous studies that suggest people favor mates with more mature physical characteristics like curves when they feel threatened physically, economically, or socially. That is because physical maturity may convey independence, and strength that look good in a partner during tough times. Past research has shown that actresses with more mature facial and bodily features are more popular during periods of socioeconomic trouble.