What is an attractive weight for a woman?
Ideal Weight per MET Life
Using figure rating scales, Aniulis et al. (27) found that the most frequently selected ideal body had a BMI of 19.79, closely followed by an underweight ideal of 18.26. Ahern et al. (28) found that a BMI of 20 was considered the most attractive, while Swami et al.
Height | Weight (based on normal BMI of 19–24) |
---|---|
5'6″ | 118–148 lbs. |
5'7″ | 121–153 lbs. |
5'8″ | 125–158 lbs. |
5'9″ | 128–162 lbs. |
Healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9, and most people like to gaze at faces that correspond to a BMI in the lower end of that range, the study notes. You can calculate your BMI here. “The healthy weight is what tends to be the most preferable weight to look at,” Re said.
The “Ideal” Body Type: What the Survey Says
Their responses varied slightly. However, they largely shared the same viewpoint on the "ideal" female body type. According to their responses, the "ideal" woman would be 5'5", weigh between 121-130 pounds, and have a 25 or 26-inch waist.
The majority of the men (nearly 86% of them) preferred a woman with a dress size 14 to 16. Only 10% said they prefer women between the size 8 and 10, and 4.2% of them said they prefer women sizes 20 or over. So, the majority of men prefer a blue eyed, dark haired woman who is a size 14-16, who knew?
The body shape that men generally find attractive in women has a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7. That's the ratio of a 70cm waist and 100cm hips, though the study found that size wasn't as important as the proportions. Men like curves.
Size | Weight | Height |
---|---|---|
6-8 | 40 - 50 lbs | 3'7" - 4' |
8-10 | 50 - 60 lbs | 4' - 4'4" |
10-12 | 60 - 75 lbs | 4'4" - 4'8" |
12-14 | 70 - 90 lbs | 4'7" - 4'11" |
Underweight | < 18.50 | < 18.50 |
---|---|---|
Pre-obese | 25–29.99 | 25–27.49 27.5–29.99 |
Obese | ≥ 30 | ≥ 30 |
Obese class 1 | 30–34.99 | 30–32.49 32.5–34.99 |
Obese class 2 | 35–39.99 | 35–37.49 37.5–39.99 |
The average American woman of 20 years of age and up weighs 170.8 pounds (lbs) and stands at 63.5 inches (in), which is almost 5 feet (ft), 4 in tall. These numbers may or may not be surprising to you.
At what age do you weigh the most?
“Obesity incidence starts increasing in one's twenties and peaks at 40 to 59, and then decreases slightly after age 60,” says Craig Primack, MD, an obesity medicine physician at the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Arizona.
Some will, some won't. It really depends on the guy. Don't assume that a man won't want to date you because you're plus-size. Dress for your body type, own it, and the world is your oyster.
How much weight a person needs to lose for it to be noticeable is also subjective as it depends on your frame and starting body mass index, according to Guzman. On average, a 15 to 20-pound loss (approximately 2 to 5 percent of your starting body weight) is enough to notice "significant changes in your body," he said.
Rule and Re found that the average decrease required to make the faces in the sample appear more attractive was 2.38 kg/m2 for women, and 2.59 kg/m2 for men, translating to about 6.3 and 8.2 kilograms (approximately 14 and 18 pounds) for women and men of average height, respectively.
Inclusivity in Beauty: Brands are now catering to all skin tones, types, and genders. The current beauty standard in 2023 is about embracing diversity, breaking stereotypes, and celebrating every individual's unique beauty. Wellness Inside Out: Beauty is not just skin deep.
What makes a person's features seem beautiful? Facial symmetry has been considered to be attractive in women. Most of men, they have been found to prefer full lips, high forehead, broad face, small chin, small nose, short and narrow jaw, high cheekbones, clear and smooth skin, and wide-set eyes from women.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons conducted a poll to see when we reach peak attractiveness and apparently it's in your 30s for both men and women. Women are reportedly most attractive at age 30 while men reach peak attractiveness at age 38.
According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, the perfect height for men, according to 22 percent of survey participants in Great Britain, was between 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 1 inch. As for women, 21 percent of respondents stated that the ideal height for a woman should be between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 9 inches.
Heterosexual men tend to be attracted to women who have a youthful appearance and exhibit features such as a symmetrical face, full breasts, full lips, and a low waist–hip ratio.
"When men were evaluating a short-term mate for a one-night stand they showed equal interest in her face and body instead of the face winning by a blowout." For long-term 75 percent of male participants wanted to see the face, but for short-term flings 50 percent of men chose face and 50 percent chose the body.
What age are men most attractive?
While men seem to be genetically predisposed to be attracted to women in their mid-to-late-20s, women tend to be attracted to men around their ages, if not older; this means men in their 30s have the best of both worlds. Men in their 30s are attractive to a wide range of women, from 20-somethings to women in their 40s.
A study on women's and men's height preferences found that women are most satisfied when their partner was 8 inches (21cm) taller. Men are most satisfied when they are 3 inches (8cm) taller than their partners. Another study found that among men, 13.5 percent prefer to date only women shorter than them.
Is a women's size 12 considered plus size or straight size? A size 12 is roughly the same size as a man's size 32 pant waist, so no, unless you are extremely short. You might look large, but for the most part, a size 12 is on the low average size in this day and age.
A young woman, physically active, who hasn't had babies, may be fairly proportional, and wear US size 11–13 at 180 #, and a 13–15 at 200#. Older women, who bore a child or children, may carry lower abdominal weight or heaviness because post pregnancy, her body didn't return to pre-pregnancy shape.
Averages for U.S. women
Weight: 170 pounds. Pant size: Large to extra large.
References
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/relationships/10-things-men-find-attractive-about-women-101663144399190.html
- https://www.byrdie.com/body-standards-survey
- https://www.newsweek.com/weight-loss-changes-results-expert-advice-1692523
- https://www.regain.us/advice/attachment/is-he-attracted-to-me-5-reasons-hes-not-just-being-nice/
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/web-stories/women-have-12-types-of-body-shape-find-out-your-shape/photostory/89972358.cms
- https://www.quora.com/Am-I-underweight-I-m-15-6-foot-And-weigh-160-pounds
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/body-mass-index-bmi
- https://www.quora.com/Do-girls-like-guys-with-dimples
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-age-to-enjoy-life
- https://www.today.com/health/study-shows-how-much-weight-you-need-lose-look-more-t60261
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_ideal
- https://www.thecut.com/2020/03/men-can-smell-when-women-are-aroused-research.html
- https://www.vintageisthenewold.com/game-pedia/how-do-guys-act-when-they-like-a-girl
- https://www.quora.com/If-people-in-the-past-were-always-starving-and-struggling-why-are-so-many-people-in-1700s-pictures-overweight
- https://www.wikihow.com/Know-a-Guy-Is-Flirting
- https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/when-a-guy-ignores-you-what-does-it-mean/
- https://www.vintageisthenewold.com/game-pedia/what-is-the-prime-age-of-a-human-male
- https://www.quora.com/How-do-we-define-an-attractive-and-beautiful-woman-What-do-they-have-to-have-to-be-considered-beautiful-to-you
- https://www.emedicinehealth.com/how_much_should_a_female_weigh/article_em.htm
- https://neurosciencenews.com/age-happiness-psychology-23942/
- https://www.quora.com/Are-skinny-girls-attractive
- https://www.wikihow.com/What-Do-Guys-Like-to-Be-Called
- https://www.myjournalcourier.com/features/article/Serving-size-was-diet-key-in-1950s-15103785.php
- https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Girls-Like-Skinny-Guys
- https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-weight/underweight
- https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/10-most-attractive-body-parts-ranked-women-2/
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/25/health/thinness-and-obesity-due-to-genes-study-intl/index.html
- https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/2016/11/17/15-things-men-will-always-notice-about-wome/46422319/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Signs-a-Man-Is-Sexually-Attracted-to-You
- https://www.joe.co.uk/life/this-is-the-first-thing-that-women-notice-about-a-mans-body-90771
- https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/getting-mixed-signals-signs-hes-falling-in-love-but-scared/
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/sex-and-relationships/the-female-body-shape-most-men-prefer/story-oPrK01XjX1NBOFO1tyaXaN.html
- https://www.quora.com/How-much-do-guys-care-about-a-girls-weight
- https://www.quora.com/Why-is-thinness-associated-with-attractiveness
- https://www.quora.com/What-size-would-a-woman-who-weighs-180-200-lbs-wear
- https://www.regain.us/advice/attraction/what-makes-a-woman-attractive-knowing-which-traits-can-attract-the-partner-of-your-dreams/
- https://www.quora.com/Why-may-a-man-pull-away-when-falling-in-love
- https://www.rd.com/list/best-ages-in-life/
- https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/eating-disorder/what-is-too-skinny
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/news/a10102/red-says-to-men-022912/
- https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a29473354/mixed-signals-meaning/
- https://www.quora.com/How-were-people-so-thin-in-the-70s-and-80s
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/sex-after-sixty-2966815
- https://menshealth.com.au/female-body-type-men-find-most-attractive/
- https://www.manscaped.com/blogs/style/what-is-the-prime-age-for-a-man
- https://www.quora.com/At-what-age-does-a-womans-beauty-peak
- https://evoke.ie/2019/06/17/style/men-this-eye-colour-dress-size-most-attractive
- https://www.chow.md/dermal-fillers/when-thin-is-too-thin/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886922004263
- https://www.lovetoknow.com/life/relationships/how-tell-if-guy-is-attracted-you
- https://www.regain.us/advice/attraction/how-to-tell-if-you-are-attractive-9-ways-youre-more-attractive-than-you-think/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Guy-to-Notice-You
- https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/want-to-know-how-he-feels-signs-a-man-is-falling-in-love/
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/a-pretty-face-or-a-hot-body-09-10-27/
- https://mysunny1015.com/2018/05/07/what-body-part-do-we-notice-first/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Cute-Girl
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_age
- https://statcarewalkin.com/info/what-does-a-67-year-old-woman-look-like-aging-gracefully-and-defying-stereotypes.html
- https://www.quora.com/How-do-guys-look-at-girls-they-like
- https://www.wikihow.com/What-Clothes-Do-Guys-Like-on-a-Girl
- https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/2016/11/14/20-things-men-find-highly-unattractive-in-wome/45127165/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1062210/public-perception-of-ideal-height-for-men-and-women-gb/
- https://www.quora.com/How-can-you-tell-when-a-man-is-genuinely-interested-or-still-playing-the-field
- https://www.mywellnesshub.in/blog/how-do-men-react-when-they-like-a-woman/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-a-Guy-Is-Thinking-About-You
- https://m.timesofindia.com/life-style/relationships/love-sex/the-real-reason-why-older-men-get-attracted-to-virgins/photostory/96029152.cms
- https://www.quora.com/Is-a-women-s-size-12-considered-plus-size-or-straight-size
- https://www.quora.com/What-will-a-guy-think-whenever-he-sees-his-crush
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-makes-man-obsessed-woman-science-attraction-themindsjournal
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323586
- https://www.healthline.com/health/average-waist-size-for-women
- https://9mmenergy.com/blog/the-ideal-age-for-an-mma-fighter
- https://www.indiatimes.com/health/heres-a-doozy-study-suggests-fat-guys-last-longer-in-bed-233773.html
- https://www.quora.com/If-Im-55-and-120-lbs-am-I-skinny
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_attractiveness
- https://www.quora.com/Do-guys-forget-about-girls-they-like-easily
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804956/
- https://medium.com/@courtneysimms/six-of-the-top-qualities-that-women-find-irresistible-in-men-77741280eb98
- https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/average-weight-for-women
- https://www.sermo.com/blog/insights/history-obesity-renaissance-1910/
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/why-do-older-men-like-younger-women/
- https://www.wikihow.com/What-Body-Part-Is-Most-Attractive
- https://www.drfelix.co.uk/most-attractive-body-parts/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/after-service/201909/5-reasons-why-women-and-men-care-about-height
- https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-signs-a-guy-shows-if-he-secretly-likes-you-but-knows-you-two-cant-be-together
- https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/how-men-fall-in-love-psychology-of-the-male-brain-in-love/
- https://www.brides.com/chemistry-between-people-5105352
- https://www.wikihow.com/What-Clothing-Do-Guys-Find-Most-Attractive
- https://www.regain.us/advice/attraction/attractive-older-women-our-obsession-with-aging-well/
- https://edeesplace.com/sizing-charts
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bust/waist/hip_measurements
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/what-men-look-for-in-women/
- https://www.glamour.com/story/want-to-know-what-men-really-n
- https://www.quora.com/Which-external-part-of-the-female-body-is-the-softest
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/weight-gain-and-aging.aspx
- https://www.mankatoclinic.com/blog/youre-turning-40
- http://www.modernmalemindset.com/what-5-things-do-women-look-at-when-they-first-meet-a-man/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-a-Boy-Has-a-Crush-on-You
- https://miaaesthetics.com/why-do-i-have-fupa-belly-fat-if-skinny/
- https://www.quora.com/Why-were-people-in-the-50s-60s-and-70s-so-skinny-It-seems-like-average-Americans-were-rail-thin-compared-to-today
- https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/what-makes-woman-memorable-to-man/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-a-Girl-Likes-You
- https://www.thebeat925.ca/news/332595/did-you-know-that-other-people-see-you-as-more-attractive-than-you-do
- https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-feel-like-for-a-man-when-he-sees-a-beautiful-woman
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/love-sex/10-reasons-men-love-being-in-a-relationship/articleshow/55349454.cms
- https://neurosciencenews.com/olfaction-sexual-arousal-15843/
- https://onairwithryan.iheart.com/featured/ryan-seacrest/content/2022-07-21-this-is-the-age-when-we-reach-peak-attractiveness/
- https://www.utoronto.ca/news/losing-weight-can-make-you-more-attractive-experts-say-%E2%80%93-theres-catch
- https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a758029/this-is-what-the-ideal-male-body-type-looks-like/
- https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/23/archives/when-fat-was-in-fashion-abundant-flesh-was-a-thing-of-beauty-to.html
- https://www.creativeimages.edu/top-10-beauty-trends-of-2023/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2022.756119
- https://www.askmen.com/answers/all/1611652-do-men-find-women-over-40-genuinely-attractive-and.html
- https://www.quora.com/How-do-guys-act-when-they-know-a-girl-likes-them-but-they-dont-like-them-back
- https://www.quora.com/Are-skinny-guys-attractive
- https://www.nydailynews.com/2009/03/30/study-being-too-thin-will-age-your-face/
- https://jacksonhealth.org/2017-06-29-mens-health-20s/
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/does-he-like-me
- https://parade.com/1058769/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-guy-like-you/
- https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/weight/is-being-skinny-healthy
- https://soulsalt.com/when-is-the-prime-of-your-life/