Do Men Really Like Skinny Women? Poll Results Revealed

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We asked men what body types they prefer on women

Co-authored by Eddy Baller and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: September 3, 2025 Fact Checked

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Do men prefer skinny women?

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Why Men Like Curvy Women

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Why Men Like Skinny Women

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It’s the question many women have been asking for ages: Do men prefer skinny women? The results are finally in! We polled hundreds of men to find out if they really like skinny women and why some men may prefer skinny or curvy women. We also spoke to dating coach Eddy Baller to get his expert insight. Keep reading for the answers to all your burning questions.

What body type do men prefer on women?

Reader Poll: We asked 311 wikiHow readers if they prefer skinnier women or curvier women, and 38% of them said somewhere in between. [Take Poll] This is ultimately a personal preference, but many men agree that women don’t have to be skinny to be attractive.

Section 1 of 3:

Do men prefer skinny women?

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Many men prefer women who are “in between” skinny and curvy. According to our poll, most men say they like women who have a body type somewhere between skinny and curvy. However, many men also said they prefer curvier women, and others said they prefer skinnier women. Some even said they don’t care much about body types. Baller notes, “There's a wide range of body types that can be attractive.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Eddy Baller
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} Ultimately, it is a personal preference.
- Baller says, “‘Skinny’ or ‘curvy’ is a bit vague. Generally speaking, men will gravitate towards women who look ‘fit’. Not necessarily like an athlete, but someone who is fairly thin but has some muscle tone.”^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eddy Baller
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
- Baller continues, “Curvy, as in big hips and large breasts, is also desirable, but not what would be considered overweight.”^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eddy Baller
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
- Several studies also back these findings. One study conducted by Northwestern University’s Body and Media Lab polled both men and women about what female body type men were most attracted to. Most women believed men preferred skinnier body types, but most men actually chose heavier or curvier body types.^{[4]
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- Want to know how women feel about skinny men? Check out this article.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Eddy Baller is a dating coach and the owner of Conquer and Win, a dating consulting and coaching service in Vancouver, Canada. Eddy specializes in confidence-building, advanced social and communication skills, and building meaningful relationships.

Section 2 of 3:

Why do men like curvier women?

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Curvier women may be perceived as healthier. According to a study conducted by St. Andrews University, men under stress tend to prefer heavier women. Their findings suggest that men prefer heavier women because women with curves are perceived as healthier than very skinny women. From a scientific standpoint, heavier women may be more likely to withstand illness or food scarcity.^{[5]
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- This doesn’t mean skinny women aren’t healthy! Everyone’s body is different.
Some men view curvier women as more seductive than skinnier women. Curves give women a shapely appearance which may make them seem more natural and graceful in the eyes of men. Some suggest men feel this way because larger breasts and hips are associated with fertility.^{[6]
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Section 3 of 3:

Why do men like skinny women?

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Men on sites like Reddit often say they like skinny women because they can easily pick them up. This may make them feel stronger, more masculine, and better able to protect their partner.
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Skinnier women may also be perceived as healthier. While some men think women are healthier when they have some curves, others perceive skinnier women as healthier. This is because people often associate being thin with working out and eating well.
- Keep in mind that your body type doesn’t always reflect your level of health. Some women may be healthier while skinny, and others may be healthier if they’re on the curvier side.

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Remember, the important thing is that you feel happy and confident with your body. The right man will like you for you. Don’t feel like you have to change the way you look to attract someone.

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