The Dad Bod

People run the gamut when it comes to how much they care about their personal appearance. You have everything from your overly concerned with physical appearance and health to your unconcerned to the point of concerning with health and appearance. Apparently, for fathers, there is a position in the middle and it’s represented by what’s labeled the “dad bod.”

The dictionary says the dad bod is “a male physique that is relatively slim but not lean or toned.” Another definition I saw was longer and said it’s the stereotypical suburban father in his mid to late thirties. While the definitions may vary some, from what I can tell, Hank Hill from King of the Hill is a good representative body type for the dad bod.

The term itself sounds…well as stupid as the freshmen girl from Ferris Bueler’s Day Off inquiring, “Hey, Ferris, how’s your bod?” when he’s at home pretending to be sick. However, I think there are some redeeming qualities to the dad bod mentality.

For one, since it includes the word “dad” by definition it’s family oriented and modifies the expectations. A supremely fit body for a family man is going to be rare. Genetics play a role here so there are of course good dads who are super fit, but if you’re working a non-athletic job and putting in a second job’s worth of hours at the gym, you’ve probably dropped the dad part of the bod.

Physical appearance is obviously a much more important focus for women in our culture. Exhibit A: cosmetics departments and beauty stores. I rest my case. Anyway, it’s a little funny that the dad bod idea caught on and sort of gives dads some perspective and maybe takes some pressure off but the mom bod is not a thing. Actually the only thing I can think of that’s in any way similar is mom jeans but those have a much more negative connotation than dad bod. Which certainly isn’t fair.

I’m a thin guy and metabolize like a garbage disposal. But as I near 40 I’m starting to see signs that this automatic weight equilibrium isn’t going to go on forever. Also, not working a physical job and having active kids is a reminder that staying active has very practical benefits. Like being able to keep up with them.

So the dad bod idea can help keep a dad from being overly focused on physical fitness and health, but also push him to not completely let things go.

Look, I know I’m not running any marathons, entering any ninja warrior contests, or going to show up on any fitness magazines. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have goals. The dad bod, or perhaps something a little more trim, fits the idea of everything in moderation in the physical fitness category.

Maybe that’s one of the most obvious but overlooked functions of fatherhood. It’s the great leveler of expectations. Much like the dad bod.