Tess Holliday challenges fitness blogger Ashy Bines who compared her to late anorexic model Ana Carolina Reston

Bines criticised Holliday for living an 'extreme lifestyle'

Plus-size supermodel Tess Holliday has issued a defiant riposte to a fitness blogger who compared her health to that of a late model who suffered with anorexia.

Holliday is a UK size 26 model and body positive activist who became internationally recognised after being signed by London-based Milk Model Management, making history by becoming the first woman of her size and height to be represented by a major agency.

Holliday also fronts the 'eff your beauty standards' movement, which challenges body-shaming and encourages self-confidence.

On Monday, Australian fitness expert Ashy Bines shared an image of Holliday in a swimsuit next to one of Ana Carolina Reston, a Brazilian model who died of kidney failure reportedly related to her anorexia in 2006, with her 650,000 Instagram followers.

Apparently unaware the image she had chosen was of Reston, Bines wrote: “The girl on the left is obviously underweight - yes she may be genetically small but it's pretty obvious she is not healthy and has not been eating a well-balanced diet and would be on 500 or less calories a day to achieve her body - nor is she a good role model for young women. I hope she has some support around her to help her change her lifestyle.

“The girl on the right I've seen in recent articles and apparently is an ‘inspiration’ to the younger generation - I also think she is not a good role model for young girls.

“There is no ‘perfect’ body and no two bodies are the same BUT it is obvious when someone is living an extreme lifestyle one end or the other and I hope girls find other role models to help them achieve a healthy lifestyle.“

Her comments were branded ignorant and “incredibly disrespectful” to Reston’s family, and Bines was accused of creating the post for attention.

On Thursday, Holliday challenged her comments with a short but direct message on her Facebook page.

“Oh no, a fitness Instagrammer doesn't like me because I'm fat and a bad ‘role model'," she wrote. ”I'm gonna go change who I am entirely to please her and fit into societies f**ked up reality of ‘beauty’ right away... said no one ever. It's 2016 mate, some people don't want to (or can't) look like the cover of women's fitness. Get over it.

“It's so simple, you can't look at someone and tell whether or not they are healthy. Also, using the model's image that passed away was incredibly distasteful.

“To those of you saying I need to lose weight, no, I don't. ITS MY BODY.“

Bines defended her post in a live Facebook post directly addressing Holliday.

”I just don't think someone of your size should be applauded, or [be] a role model for our younger generation,“ she said.

“When you are morbidly obese, you are at the risk of doing so much to your body, and there are so many diseases that can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle.”