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05/28/2005: "Changing body image over time"

Although the American public are on average increasing their body weight, 'Miss America' contestants have been thinner over time and winners since 1970 have consistently weighed less than the other contestants. In 1975 top models and beauty queens weighed only 8% less than the average women. Today they weigh 23% less, a size achievable by less than 5% of today's female population. Between 1970 and 1990, there was an overall increased emphasis on weight loss and body shape in the content of a popular women's magazine, as well as a shift to using thinner less curvaceous models in their photo shoots. The 1980s beauty ideal remained slim but required a more toned and fit look. Women could no longer just 'diet' into the correct size; there was a new pressure to achieve the toned look. The 1990s body ideal was the very slim but large breasted look, a rather unrealistic and almost impossible combination for most western women....