The Scientific Reason Why Men Are Attracted To Curvy Women

My husband and I were recently out with a small group of friends when an influencer’s before and after photos documenting her weight loss journey came across someone’s Instagram feed. While the consensus among the ladies in the group was that the woman looked healthier and more vibrant in the after photo, the men disagreed. Some claimed they saw no difference (the woman had lost about 30 lbs), and others argued that she looked better before when she had a little more adipose tissue on her hips. 

The group was split right down the middle, with the men preferring a curvier look and the women thinking this influencer’s hard work had paid dividends in her new physique. So why is it that men tend to like a woman with a little more meat on her bones, while females prefer a more toned look for themselves? It boils down to biology and our primal survival instincts. Let me explain. 

DHA for Healthier Babies (and Curvier Hips)

According to health entrepreneur and the founder of the biohacking movement Dave Asprey, the biological reason why men are attracted to a woman’s healthy curves boils down to DHA. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that a baby's brain needs for development in utero. A woman stores DHA in her fatty tissues, meaning the more adipose tissue a woman has on her hips, breasts, and butt, the more DHA she is likely to have. These increased stores would presumably result in smarter, healthier babies.  

The instant attraction the male brain has to a woman’s curves is subconscious. It’s a safe bet that most men aren’t actively thinking about creating healthy offspring when a curvy woman enters their field of vision. Instead, scientists theorize that the thought process occurs on a primal level – a man sees a woman with ample hips and breasts, and his primal brain immediately thinks of perpetuating his bloodline with strong, smart babies. 

Thanks to the toxic body positivity movement, “curvy” has become a euphemistic term used to describe obese, unhealthy body types – which most men aren’t immediately attracted to the same way they’re attracted to breast and hip tissue. Adipose tissue in the midsection is often visceral fat, which is different from a layer of healthy padding on a woman’s breasts and hips that comes from excess DHA stores. Visceral fat is caused by poor dietary habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and excess cortisol levels in the body, not healthy DHA stores, which is likely why men aren’t attracted to that version of “curvy.” 

So Why Is It So Difficult To Love My Curves?

If we know that science shows men are attracted to curves, why do so many women still want to be toned and trim? Part of it is personal preference. A woman might feel more feminine with a daintier physique, or like her clothing fits better when the fabric has fewer curves to graze.

It’s likely that many women have a “grass is greener” mentality when it comes to their figure. If you’re naturally born with Tyra Banks curves, chances are you’ll want a svelte Kate Moss physique at some point in your life – simply because that body type is out of reach. 

Moreover, possibly the biggest reason why women struggle with a love/hate relationship with their curves is because females are the ones who perpetuate society’s beauty standards (think heroine chic, “body positive”, etc.). On the other hand, men more consistently prefer women who simply look healthy and who take care of themselves – which can encompass a wide variety of body types, but typically consists of natural curves.

Want Healthy Curves? Here’s How

The good news? Ladies with curvier figures can celebrate their natural physiques, knowing that their man loves their figure and that their bodies are storing healthy nutrients for their future babies. 

Now here’s the bad news: While a curvaceous figure is a sign of healthy DHA stores, there's unfortunately no proof that eating foods higher in DHA will give you that va-va-voom physique (bummer). Lack of evidence aside, it certainly doesn’t hurt to up your DHA game. After all, eating a diet rich in omega-3 DHAs can help improve your brain and heart health (and the health of your future children, remember), even if it can’t contribute to a curvier figure. (But, hey, maybe someday science will prove that it can do that too.)

If you’re trying to add more DHA to your diet, seafood is your best friend. Some foods with the highest levels of omega-3s and DHA include salmon, oysters, sardines, and mackerel. Seafood not your thing? Pasture-raised eggs, walnuts, and avocados are also high in DHA, although these foods don’t pack the same omega-3 punch as fish.

Another way to enhance your curves is to choose workouts that are developed for women. When you focus on toning exercises that cinch your waist and tone your hips, butt, and pecs, your physique will become more feminine and curvaceous. Not sure where to start? Workouts in the 28 Wellness app are specifically formulated by supermodel trainers to lean the legs, tone the arms, sculpt the booty, and tighten the abs (and the program is designed to work with your cycle!). 

Closing Thoughts 

It seems like our beauty standards are constantly changing. One decade a slim physique is the silhouette du jour, and the next, we’re told to celebrate our bodies at every size – regardless of health. The body image back-and-forth can be nauseating, but rest assured that having “more to love” on your hips and breasts can actually be a sign of a thriving body – and that your man (and future babies!) will appreciate your curves.