Statistics

This image shows statistics about the way women and men feel about the ideal body type of a woman. The image is based on UK sizes, so Size 8 is equivalent to the U.S. size 6, size 12 is a U.S. size 10 and size 16 is a U.S. size 14. So why is it that women feel they need to be more than half as thin as most women actually are? It’s highly possible that the media is affecting women. Let’s look at some statistics:

• According to Prevention magazine, a "healthy weight" for a woman who is 5'9" is 129-169 pounds. An average 5'9" model's weight is somewhere around 110-115 lbs.

• Recent statistics provided by Natural Health magazine found that the average woman's dress size is 12 and the average mannequin's dress size is 6.

• Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8% less than the average woman—but today’s models weigh 23% less

• Women’s magazines have 10½ times more ads and articles promoting weight loss than men’s magazines do

• Over ¾ of women’s magazine covers have at least one message about how to change a woman’s bodily appearance

Magazines feature thin models and actresses, or digitally alter them to be thinner, to satisfy advertisers. By presenting women who have a body that is very difficult to achieve and maintain, the cosmetic and diet industries are assured to grow and make a profit. This is not without consequence however. Research shows that seeing images of thin, young, air-brushed female bodies is linked to depression, loss of self-esteem and the development of unhealthy eating habits in women and girls. Magazines need to rethink their approach and start making a change, or women across the world are going to continue to have body image issues.