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Wednesday, Sep 8, 2010 6:42 PM UTC

Sex researchers: “Size” does matter

Study shows that fatter men last longer in bed. Should Americans rejoice?

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Topics: Sex, Broadsheet, Obesity, Love and Sex,

Sex researchers:

Fat is fun! At least, that’s the word from Turkey this week. Researchers at Erciyes University in Kayseri have just completed a yearlong study correlating body mass index (BMI) and male sexual performance. Their findings: Men with excess body fat last longer in bed. In fact, heavier men were able to make love for an average of 7.3 minutes, while slender men could count themselves lucky if they held on for a mere 108 seconds. 

The reason? Female hormones. Men with excess fat showed higher levels of the female estradiol sex hormone. This substance apparently disrupted their bodies’ natural “male” neurotransmitter chemicals and slowed their progression towards orgasm. Ironically, the less masculine their bodies appeared, the better lovers they proved to be.   

The scientists compared the BMI and sexual performance of over 100 men who were being treated for sexual dysfunction with 100 other males who lasted longer during sex. They found that men suffering from premature ejaculation were on the whole thinner and fitter than their “better endowed” brethren.   

Using the researchers’ logic, you might think that American men, living in what the World Health Organization has identified as the world’s third fattest country with an estimated 66.7 percent of the population living well over the line, would be the world’s most exquisite lovers. Unfortunately, the study does not take a stand on this issue. Nor is there any scientific or anecdotal evidence to suggest that it is true. In fact, last year the global research website Onepoll.com conducted a survey of 15,000 women from 20 countries on the subject, and Americans showed up fifth from the bottom for being “too rough.” (Spaniards, Brazilians and Italians took top honors.)  But as Benjamin Disraeli supposedly said, “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.”   

This is not to deny that, when it comes to overweight lovers, there may also be an issue of “quality vs. quantity” involved, not to mention aesthetic and cardiological issues etc., but why spoil a good story? For now, make sure your next love banquet includes plenty of chips and beer, bratwursts and pecan pies. Nowadays, when it comes to sex, fat is the new thin.

More Judy Mandelbaum.

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