Men everywhere are sighing in relief at the popularity of the dadbod.
This term was coined by a Clemson University student named Mackenzie Pearson in an article for The Odyssey, an alternative media outlet.
In the article, Pearson describes this body type by saying, “I go to the gym occasionally, but I also drink heavily on the weekends and enjoy eating eight slices of pizza at a time.”
It’s apparently used to describe a man who’s not overweight, but doesn’t put much effort into his body either.
The phenomenon has since exploded, even reigniting the body acceptance dialogue, this time slanted towards men.
While we should respect everybody’s bodies, this new trend on men should not be glorified.
Male advocates argue if different, unconventional bodies on women can be attractive, men should receive the same treatment. But as it turns out, men don’t have the same excuses.
We need to look at the differences between men and women physically before we equate the dadbod with the female counterpart, “mombod.”
Women produce more estrogen, which causes more storage of body fat, and according to the American Council on Exercise, the average woman’s body fat percentage ranges from 25-31 percent while the average man has only 18-24 percent.
Data from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders shows us women are far more likely than men to develop eating disorders, often resulting from feelings of inadequacy about their own bodies.
Meanwhile, the data says only an estimated five to 15 per cent of people with these disorders are men.
Then there is the matter of pregnancy. Women give birth, and when they do, it causes excess body weight, which is often hard to shake off afterwards.
The amazing part about all of this is a study conducted by Statistics Canada in 2009 on people under the age of 60 which reported that, somehow, men are still more overweight and obese than women.
Is this not consistent with the lazy and complacent attitude of the dadbod?
Despite all that, you have to face the fact that the dads of the world have a hard time.
They hold down full-time jobs, have kids and mortgages, parents and traffic to worry about, so it’s no wonder that taking care of their bodies is lower on their priority lists.
Most twenty-something men who are welcoming the dadbod do not have the same excuses, though.
It seems they don’t take care of themselves because they are indifferent, and this trend will only enhance that.
Nobody is perfect, and nobody should be ashamed of their body, but maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if we all strove to better ourselves rather than falling back on something like the dadbod.
Some advice to guys, even middle-aged dads who have other things on their minds: pick up a dumbbell, go for a run, and maybe cut back a bit on the beer. You will feel better.
