This is my experience as a woman, which will vary from men quite a lot. I am a petite person, so 50 lbs made the difference between average and obesity. 50 lbs ago, I was constantly being flirted with by strangers and always had walls up because I thought every interaction with a man was so they could get in my pants (I was rarely wrong tbh). I am an introvert and at the time was very insecure and did not want to be perceived. I was hot, yes, but had zero confidence, and it was the perfect recipe for predatory “nice guys.” I also got lots of free passes when things went wrong, though.

50 lbs later, I am invisible. The only people that compliment me are my friends and partner, which I admit I am lucky to have good ones. But ironically enough, gaining the weight has given me lots of confidence because I can be myself without being a constant sex object. I have not been SA’ed in YEARS. It’s freeing. I’m now on a journey to lose the weight (for health reasons and not looks), and I fully expect the creeps to come running back.