‘Slim thick’ is an hourglass figure with a bigger booty, bust and small waist as well as a flat stomach.‘Thin’ was of a picture of someone with a flat stomach and small waist, while ‘fit’ was a more athletic physique.
Participants were then asked to compare themselves to the photos and share their feelings on how these body types made them feel.
It turns out, that all three body types made the volunteers feel insecure about their own weight, appearance and overall body type.
The fuller hour-glass figure ideal is making women feel more self-conscious
It seems women felt more dissatisfaction with their weight and appearance when compared to ‘slim-thick’ women in the photographs. A.k.a., the shift towards a fuller, hourglass figure is making women more self-conscious.
Women still find this current body ideal unattainable, especially if celebrities have undergone plastic surgery.
“Cultural trends in Western media have recently shifted towards a curvier body type,” wrote Sarah McComb and Jennifer Mills, the two researchers conducting the study.
“Heavier models may actually be the most harmful type of body ideal to women’s body image based on the current findings.”
“We’re currently investigating if more women aspire to this ideal because they think it may be easier to attain than the thin ideal, which makes them feel disappointed when it’s more difficult to achieve than they initially expected.”
We think women are beautiful, whatever their size and shape, and all bodies should be celebrated, whether they are big or small!
Hopefully, from now on, women feel less pressure to look a certain way and focus more on their health and being their best selves.
Ignore the body image pressure
The body image pressure put on women is incredible. Every day we are hit with media and social media images of the so-called ‘perfect look’.
We see fitness programs, celeb trainers and celebrities with weight loss programs promising that you can get their six-pack look in a matter of weeks – when we should be focusing on being healthy and giving ourselves a high five on juggling motherhood!
We also have peer pressure to look a certain way – which compounds the already DEAFENING noise around us to look a certain way.
Mums and body image
This is an issue we’re passionate about at The Healthy Mummy. Our bodies after having babies are different – they may have stretch marks and mummy tummy, but they have carried our children.
It IS possible to be fit and healthy in a body that doesn’t look like a supermodel’s.
If you need some more inspiration, have a look at Healthy Mummy Rae Willingham’s inspirational video on loving your body:
It’s never too late to start – if you want to get fit and healthy right now, then join our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge that is designed especially for mums.
Join us on our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge TODAY
Want to shift your baby weight but feel like you have NO TIME in your day to exercise and eat healthily? That’s where the Healthy Mummy’s 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge can help.
Our Challenge entails:
- 28 days of at-home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
- Customisable and breastfeeding-friendly meal plans
- Time-efficient exercises for busy mums – under 30 mins
- Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
- Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels.
- Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes.
To find out more about the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, click here.
