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Front Psychol January 2019 PMID 30662423

The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness.

Xue Lei, Iris J Holzleitner, David I Perrett

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Mentions

10
Peak: 4 in Jan 2019
across 2 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

402,014
potential audience

Total likes

5,299

Video views

149,120

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect an overall curiosity about how body composition influences perceptions of masculinity and attractiveness, with examples like @josep_m_oller highlighting hormonal determinants and @NunoFDias emphasizing the effects of lower body fat. The tone is analytical but restrained, indicating interest without deep emotional investment.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most comments acknowledge or relate to the findings, especially regarding how body composition influences perceptions, with some recognizing the hormonal basis of masculinity traits.

InterestModerate interest

Discussion participants show moderate curiosity, especially with comments delving into nuanced aspects like hormonal influences and preferences.

EngagementNeutral engagement

Responses are somewhat superficial or brief, mostly sharing impressions, though one intensive comment examines effects of lower body fat on attractiveness.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest the research prompts thought about physical and hormonal factors, but do not demonstrate widespread or profound effects on opinions or behaviors.

Abstract in brief

  • Facial correlates of muscle mass significantly enhance perceptions of male masculinity, whereas facial correlates of fat mass influence masculinity perceptions mainly in underweight to low-normal weight men.
  • Women tend to prefer more muscular male faces for short-term relationships compared to long-term relationships, suggesting different aesthetic preferences based on relationship context.
  • The study highlights that body composition's facial cues—muscle and fat—affect perceptions of masculinity and attractiveness differently, with muscle mass playing a stronger role in preferences related to short-term interactions.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Frontiers - Psychology
@FrontPsychol · X

The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness https://t.co/Nf64GztmBF

Jan 3, 2019 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 32,063 followers View post →
Ed Latimore
@EdLatimore · X

@NunoFDias @TheForeverAlpha And this one is a little more intensive, and focuses on the effect of lower bf% on facial attractiveness and masculinity. https://t.co/sVX5dFl8va https://t.co/fA8U05h3t9

Sep 8, 2019 · 211,249 followers View post →
didaclopez
@didaclopez · X

@josep_m_oller @Ombliguito1 Los caracteres sexuales secundarios tienen una determinación hormonal bastante compleja. De ahí las diferencias en la percepción de virilidad que sin duda deben contribuir a la selección por sexo. https://t.co/DyrHJERJ7F

Jul 9, 2022 · 3,438 followers View post →
Jim Bloom
@jimmyroybloom · X

https://t.co/Qot7LQPRvY

Apr 23, 2020 · 2,467 followers View post →
Tomas McIntee
@MathIntee · X

@reecethebrah Pretty sure that if both of them are out in the wild wearing normal clothing, there is no such gap. This is about vibes of the photos, not actual response to body type. https://t.co/XPdGZg5pTf

Jun 17, 2025 · 1,891 followers View post →
Jorge Borges
@jfborges · X

The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness https://t.co/PeXLWUAahb

Jan 4, 2019 · 1,346 followers View post →

All mentions

Impact of Upper Body Strength on Male Attractiveness

Upper body strength significantly impacts men's attractiveness, accounting for over 70% of the variance in perceived attractiveness. This video explores how women are evolutionarily inclined to choose mates based on…

Matt Vena · Aug 13, 2021 148,980 views
Tomas McIntee
@MathIntee · X

@reecethebrah Pretty sure that if both of them are out in the wild wearing normal clothing, there is no such gap. This is about vibes of the photos, not actual response to body type. https://t.co/XPdGZg5pTf

Jun 17, 2025 · 1,891 followers View post →
didaclopez
@didaclopez · X

@josep_m_oller @Ombliguito1 Los caracteres sexuales secundarios tienen una determinación hormonal bastante compleja. De ahí las diferencias en la percepción de virilidad que sin duda deben contribuir a la selección por sexo. https://t.co/DyrHJERJ7F

Jul 9, 2022 · 3,438 followers View post →
Jim Bloom
@jimmyroybloom · X

https://t.co/Qot7LQPRvY

Apr 23, 2020 · 2,467 followers View post →
Ed Latimore
@EdLatimore · X

@NunoFDias @TheForeverAlpha And this one is a little more intensive, and focuses on the effect of lower bf% on facial attractiveness and masculinity. https://t.co/sVX5dFl8va https://t.co/fA8U05h3t9

Sep 8, 2019 · 211,249 followers View post →
Suchita MeeraIndu Shukla
@suchitashukla · X

RT @FrontPsychol: The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness https://t.co/Nf64GztmBF

Jan 4, 2019 · 2 shares · 328 followers View post →
Jorge Borges
@jfborges · X

The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness https://t.co/PeXLWUAahb

Jan 4, 2019 · 1,346 followers View post →
Jie Gao (D.Sc.)
@GaoJie1123 · X

RT @FrontPsychol: The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness https://t.co/Nf64GztmBF

Jan 3, 2019 · 2 shares · 101 followers View post →
Frontiers - Psychology
@FrontPsychol · X

The Influence of Body Composition Effects on Male Facial Masculinity and Attractiveness https://t.co/Nf64GztmBF

Jan 3, 2019 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 32,063 followers View post →