Size zero or plus-size: all models bad for self-esteem
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.These news might come as a bit of a setback to the growing group of anti-Photoshop and pro-plus size activists: German, Dutch and US researchers have found that it doesn't make a difference whether models are extremely thin or curvy, they all make overweight women feel bad about themselves.
United Press International (UPI) reports that according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, "overweight women's self-esteem always decreases, regardless of the model they look at."
Interestingly, the effect on underweight women is the contrary: "Underweight women's self-esteem always increases, regardless of the model they look at," the authors said.
Further findings included that overweight and underweight women had similar self-confidence levels when they weren't looking at the models.
The researchers' recommendation to overweight women was to avoid looking at fashion ads altogether, reports the UPI.
Recently, initiatives to promote 'healthy' and 'normal' women or plus size models instead of 'unrealistically skinny' girls, led by women's magazines such as US Glamour or the German Brigitte, have caused a stir in the industry.
Together with increasing discomfort regarding excessive retouching of fashion ads -- Ralph Lauren is currently at the center of a Photoshop 'scandal,' for example -- it is hoped by many that the way fashion advertising is made could change profoundly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments