However, any normal person living in today's world knows that this maybe every woman's fantasy but reality is something completely different. While these models are stunning, this kind of body shape is not common. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average adult woman, over 20 years of age has the following statistics:
Weight: 164.7 lbs or 74.7 kg,
Height: 63.8 inches or 162 cms
Waist circumference: 37 inches or 94 cmsCandice Swanepoel a Victoria's Secret Model has the following statistics:
Weight: 121 lbs or 55kg
Height: 70.8 inches or 175 cms
Waist circumference: 23 inches or 59 cms
There is a difference.
Now, ten courageous women in the UK have recreated the Victoria's Secret advertisement in their own "average" bodies with no airbrushing.
Here is what some of these women said of their bodies and the experience of doing the shoot:
"My body is a bit beaten up, but it's given birth to and nursed two children, so I'm grateful for that.
"I've also recovered from a horse-riding accident, when I broke several bones, and I've had a hip replacement. So, as far as being 'perfect', I'm not.
"But the fact my body allows me to teach ten classes of yoga and bodypump weight-lifting classes every week means it's strong and fit...
"... I wish there were more older models. When I look at ads they could be my granddaughters.
"However, negative images don't affect my body confidence. Every day my husband tells me I am sexy or beautiful - if he says it often enough I might believe it!"
Emily Harvey, 31, UK size 14 (US 12), is a blogger and lives in South-West London, she lives with her partner and has 2 small children.
"When I told my friends I was doing this photoshoot, they said: 'Gosh, you're brave!' Most women over 20 - particularly those who've had children - don't feel confident enough to pose in their underwear. I feel more womanly after having children.
"But my mum tum does bother me when I'm swimming and see women with flatter tummies.
"I was a size ten before I had my children and while I'd like to look slimmer, I'm a busy mother with not much time to go to the gym.
"I'm 5ft 8 inches, weigh 12 and a half stone and don't feel fat. But like every woman, I'm insecure about my body and this advert doesn't help that.
"Taking part in the shoot has boosted my confidence hugely. I'll feel much more confident in my underwear in the future."
"As a trained midwife, I've seen lots of women's bodies and I know we come in all shapes and sizes.
"So I was horrified there wasn't a single average-sized woman in the Victoria's Secret advert. I don't want my children subjected to images like that.
"Why can't we see more women who look sporty and healthy rather then bony and skinny? That would be inspirational...
"... I don't want to be super skinny - I think that looks unattractive and wouldn't want to lose my curves. I like my hourglass figure and my husband loves my curves, but there are parts of me I don't like. I've got a bit of a tummy and stretch marks, so I don't wear a bikini on the beach unless it's a fifties-style super high-waisted one. The fashion industry needs to realize women come in every size - and we are all perfect."
I could go on with the testimonials but this post would be too long, you can read the full article here.
The point here is that the general public - of all ages, is being bombarded by unrealistic images of women, most of which have been photoshopped. This is damaging especially to young teenagers who believe that to be beautiful you have to be a size 0. Eating disorders are on the rise and as I said in a previous post, it's better to be healthy than skinny. Health is what matters, you can't be too thin or too fat if your health is at risk. Each body has an ideal, natural weight, which is different for each person.
The famous Dove campaign that used "real" women instead of models was extremely well accepted, and others should think again before publishing the "perfect female body".
We should be aspiring to achieve health not a dress size, and this should be what we teach our children too.
I can help you improve your health. If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com
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