People Now Prefer "Dad Bods" More Than Toned Physics, Survey Reveals

According to a new survey, nearly 75% of single people prefer "dad bods," described as a body that is neither toned nor chiseled.

Although dad bods were the most common, with 75% of people saying they prefer that when dating, 15% of respondents said they like the more chiseled look of a "Barbie or Ken" doll-like figure in a romantic partner of their preferred gender.

In recent years, celebrities such as Leonardo Di Caprio have been accused of having dad bods. Many people who say they have that body type are proud of it, according to 45 percent of those polled.

Regardless of physical form, more than 20% of respondents said they date based on personality more than appearance.

The findings are based on a survey conducted by Dating.com, the parent company of several online dating sites. Nearly 2,000 singles were polled about their body type preferences to determine which shape is the most appealing. The results were announced by Maria Sullivan, dating expert and vice president of Dating.com.

"Very healthy and in shape, bodies are seen as desirable when it comes to attracting a partner; however, the users showed that isn't always the case when it comes to real-life romances," she said.

READ: Father and Son Relationship: What a Child Needs from His Dad [Research Reveals]

Barbie-and-Ken body types are often promoted in movies and television shows, leading to the belief that people must be skinny, fit, and muscular to find a successful relationship. 

According to a recent study published earlier this month, playing with ultra-thin dolls can alter young girls' perceptions of their ideal selves and make them want to be thinner. However, the perception of themselves was not affected when playing with dolls with more realistic proportions.

Lean men can be waif-like, like Timothée Chalamet, or husky, like Chris Hemsworth, and are commonly held as totems of the ideal western man. In any case, there isn't a trace of fat on them. Of course, guys like this aren't limited to a dating site.

They rule the runways of Milan, Paris, and London and luxury brands' and razor startups' promotional campaigns and large and small screens, from reality shows to superhero blockbusters. They're regarded as unmistakably aspirational. They are the perfect appearance for all men.

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Championing Body Confidence for Men

Kelvin Davis was body-shamed while searching for a red blazer in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. He was told he was too tall to shop there by the sales assistant. The fact that someone had overheard made it even worse. He was insecure and didn't know what to do about it.

As a result, he went online and started his blog, Famously Dapper. Because of his size and color, Davis felt neglected by the fashion industry. He appreciated fashion, talked about his body, and connected with other guys who felt vulnerable thanks to the blog.

People were perplexed at first, but his colorful shirts and upbeat attitude gradually earned him a devoted following. He currently has 15,000 blog subscribers and over 92,000 Instagram followers and has modeled for Gap and other brands. He's also been joined by a small group of people.

IMG signed Zach Miko, a 6' 6" barrel-chested model, as the first plus-size male model, while Bridge, a groundbreaking diverse modeling agency, launched a men's division. Big-and-tall brands like Jacamo rose to popularity, and high-street brands like Bonobos and Target cast burly men for more ads.

As male eating disorders and body image problems become more common, it's past time for men to champion various body types. Shouldn't we be celebrating big boys instead of teasing these guys with "dad bods"?

READ MORE: Eddie Murphy on Being a Dad to 10 Children: "I Am So Blessed With My Kids"