Not a body to die for, but the dad's bod is hot

He's cuddly with a slight paunch and his podgy physique is now being celebrated the world over as that of most women's new fantasy.

That's the "dad bod" phenomenon, which, thanks to slightly chubby Hollywood stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Sandler and Jason Segal, is knocking washboard abs and chiselled pecs off the hot charts.

South Africa is no different when it comes to toasting the baby beer belly.

Fitness experts and psychologists believe men sporting dad bods - those who work out occasionally and indulge in beer and pizza at the weekend - are accepted and even lauded in society because they are more "realistic" than men with rippling muscles and flat tummies.

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But in Men's Health Month, they have warned that while aesthetically pleasing to many, the dad bod does come with health implications.

"The popularity of the newly appreciated dad bod is increasing. While some men are embracing health and fitness to higher degrees than ever before, others are being celebrated for being, quite frankly, 'average'," said wellness expert Lisa Raleigh.

US university psychology student Mackenzie Pearson made the dad bod what it is today with her post on a college website titled "Why Girls Love the Dad Bod". Pearson wrote that the dad bod is a nice balance between a beer gut and working out.

Owners are the kind of person "you can go on a hike with, and then, at the end of the day, eat pasta with and lay in bed and watch a movie".

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital principal psychologist Jasmin Kooverjee said society accepted dad bods because they were "more realistic".

She said: "What percentage of the population is actually going to have washboard abs versus the in-between that's much more achievable?"

Women were attracted to the dad bod purely because it's not perfect. "It depends on a woman's personal preference, but a guy with a balanced lifestyle alludes to his warmer personality and someone that's not going to be possibly so judgmental of her as well."

Raleigh believes men with dad bods are perceived to be "friendlier, less intimidating, know how to have fun on weekends and won't put off a little indulgence and enjoyment in the name of physique".

So where does the dad bod sit on the health scale?

According to the American Council on Exercise, an athlete's fat percentage sits between 6% and 13%, for fit men it's between 14% and 17%, and average men have a fat percentage of 18% to 24% (which translates to overweight).

"Anything above this is deemed unhealthy, although those sitting at average or overweight are not in optimal health," said Raleigh.

Sport scientist and personal trainer Zamo van der Westhuizen said the dad bod was by no means an indication of a sedentary lifestyle or laziness.

"It can be seen every Saturday running the park run or even cycling the Cape Town Cycle Tour or even in the most hostile of environments - the gym."

Ahmed Hussein, 47, started sporting a dad bod less than a year ago without even realising he was in the "hot body range".

"I used to think I was slightly overweight but then I realised that my body type was what most men have and I became comfortable with it," the Durban father said.

He goes to gym twice a week, hikes and cycles. "But I love curries and have a sweet tooth. I'm not going to kill myself trying to be some muscled god."

North-West University nutrition professor Salomé Kruger said: "Food should be enjoyed and could include the occasional pizza and beer, as long as efforts are made to keep the weight within the normal range through regular exercise."

No shame over this baby beer belly

Durban recruitment consultant Simon Carter is not ashamed of his beer belly. He believes his "father's figure" should be celebrated.

"Yes, I do have a 'dad bod', even though I'm 28 and not even a father," he admitted.

He is by no means a couch potato - he surfs and plays touch rugby every week.

"But I also drink about 20 beers for the week and often eat takeaways. But I'm quite happy with my physique.

"I am yet to date a woman who has complained that I need to go to the gym or lose weight."

Carter, also an East Coast Radio DJ, reckons he will start becoming more health conscious as he gets older.

For now he is finewith his appearance.

No taste for rolls on breakfast TV

As a TV personality, Graeme Richards feels pressure to be in tip-top shape.

The SABC3 Expresso presenter lives by a strict workout routine to maintain his ripped physique.

"I try to mix it up as much as possible with some martial arts, boxing, trail running and weight training."

He concedes there is pressure in his industry to be in the best shape.

"But while there is still a very dominant aesthetic motivation, there is almost more emphasis on being more of a holistic archetypal man."

Richards is pretty aware of the "dad bod" trend.

"With King Leo [Leonardo DiCaprio ] being the most publicised example, it may well be that cuddly men are just becoming more appealing," said Richards.

Omo Guy's broad appeal

TV personality Nkanyiso Bhengu, popularly known as the "Omo Guy", has given himself two years to shed 100kg.

Bhengu, who has been battling the bulge for many years, weighs 167kg after seven months of diet and exercise. He has imposed a personal ban on sugar, starch and oily foods.

"I loved cakes, biscuits, chocolates, burgers, chips, amakota and vetkoek," he said. Now Bhengu's diet comprises grilled food and protein shakes.

"I am using my popularity to effect change. I created a national anti-obesity campaign called 'Walk it Off With Nkanyiso', to rally obese and overweight people like me to start eating healthy and exercising."

His biggest challenge is convincing himself to love healthy food.

You have a dad bod if...

• You're carrying an extra 5kg of weight;

• You have an extra 5cm around the waist;

• Your belly sticks out about 1.30cm; and

• You exercise only occasionally and indulge in beer and pizza on the weekends - Sources: Lisa Raleigh/New York Times

nairn@sundaytimes.co.za, govendersu@sundaytimes.co.za