American plastic surgeon Dr. Leonard Grossman suggests that human faces are generally perceived as more attractive when the Body Mass Index (BMI) falls within the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9.
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According to Dr. Grossman, genetics play a key role in determining facial shape and structure, both of which can naturally change with age. In younger individuals — even those with normal weight or slightly overweight — "baby fat" often accumulates in the cheeks. As people grow older, this fat tends to diminish, leading to more defined facial features.
However, Dr. Grossman cautions against cheek fat removal procedures, despite their growing popularity.
“What may seem excessive now often disappears on its own with age,” he says.
He stresses that facial attractiveness isn’t linearly linked to fat volume: both an excess and a deficiency of facial fat can lead to health concerns and disrupt facial harmony.
An international study found that the most attractive faces tend to have an ideal layer of facial fat, which aligns with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. This was supported by research from Australia, South Africa, and Malaysia, showing that a healthy amount of facial fat is tied to this BMI range.
The study also notes that perceptions of beauty are influenced by familiarity: people tend to find faces more attractive when they possess common or frequently seen features — a phenomenon known as the "mere exposure effect."
For reference, BMI is a simple anthropometric formula used to assess the relationship between body weight and height. According to the World Health Organization, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered within the normal and healthy range.
Source: health.mail.ru
