The naked truth: most women don't like what they see in the mirror

Many feel so intimidated by idealised female body images they can't bear to look at themselves, a survey reveals

British women are so dissatisfied with their bodies that most avoid looking at themselves naked in the mirror, a survey will reveal this week.

British women are so dissatisfied with their bodies that most avoid looking at themselves naked in the mirror, a survey will reveal this week.

Eight out of 10 women in their twenties and thirties feel pressure to be thinner after seeing advertising images of female models or celebrities, according to a survey commissioned amid concern that women's unease about their bodies could make them unwilling to discuss important health issues or check for tell-tale signs of disease.

Hips, legs, breasts and bottoms are the main sources of discontent. Nearly 80 per cent of women are so uncomfortable with their bodies that they try not to see themselves unclothed.

The survey, conducted among readers of Marie Claire and published in the magazine's January edition, found that a worrying proportion of women remain ill-informed about breast cancer, despite years of publicity. Nearly a quarter of those who responded were found to be looking for the wrong symptoms, or failing to check their breasts often enough.

The writer and broadcaster Claire Rayner, a survivor of breast cancer, said it was time for people to lose their perception of a "perfect" woman. "If you look at the images we are given as models - usually young people on the TV soaping their perfect skin or jumping around in their tight clothes - it's no wonder that normal people don't want to look at themselves in the mirror," she said.

"We are given this image that most of us can't match, so it becomes better not to look. Women need to get over this. Getting to know your body is very good for you. Especially when it comes to recognising the start of things like breast cancer."

Agony aunt Virginia Ironside said it was perfectly normal for women to dislike their bodies: "We all think we're worse than we are - that's the human condition. Perhaps it's a national characteristic: we're rather modest and self-effacing. We don't think we're brilliant, and that's fine. You don't have to look at your bottom if you don't want."

Stomachs and thighs were named as the worst offenders in a survey of 1,500 women by the internet site handbag.com earlier this year, which found an overwhelming 71 per cent of women were dissatisfied with their weight and shape. Bliss magazine found this figure to be as high as 90 per cent among teenage girls.

The new Body Truths Survey was designed by Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to raise awareness about breast cancer, which kills more than 13,000 British women annually. More than 40,000 women are diagnosed with the disease every year, according to Cancer Research UK.

"Some of these statistics are quite shocking", said Andrea Slater, vice-president of marketing at Avon, on the results of the Body Truths Survey.

"I think there's been an assumption that, because so much is being done by involved parties to educate women on breast awareness, the message must be getting through.

"Some women, too many, are not being reached by traditional methods and are slipping through the net."

THE 20-SOMETHING

Charlotte Norton, 20, Fashion student from Kingston, Surrey

Likes: her back

Dislikes: her toes

"I don't feel pressured by images in magazines. Learning about digital photo manipulation at college has taught me they're not as perfect as they appear. It's only natural to compare yourself to others. My favourite part of my body is my back. My worst is my toes, which are long. If a friend asks me if her bum looks big, I say yes ...Big bums are good!"

THE 30-SOMETHING

Gemma Kinsey, 32, Professional gardener from Leytonstone, east London

Likes: her shoulders

Dislikes: her thighs

"I sometimes compare myself to other women, and I do occasionally get jealous, but then I tell myself not to worry as I know that I'm never going to look like them. I might ask a close friend how I'm looking if I'm going out. I like my shoulders best, and I'm not particularly fond of my thighs. If a friend asks me how their bum looks, I'll be truthful, although you can't go for honesty all the time."

THE 40-SOMETHING

Katherine Baker, 44, Teacher from Hertfordshire

Likes: her face

Dislikes: her stomach

"I do compare myself to other women. That's hormones and because of changes making me feel vulnerable. But I'm still confident in how I look. I think I like my face the most and still like my bum. I don't like my tummy, though. Gravity takes its toll when you get older. I only discuss intimate issues with my close girlfriends. They're good at giving honest advice.