A Step in the Right Direction - Female Role Models2708026

Many women feel the pressure to be skinny and beautiful, and feel these are things that must be achieved in order for them to be accepted by others. It can cause low self-esteem and may lead to eating disorders. Some people blame skinny models; some blame the health and beauty industry and some blame the images that are shown in the media. However, there seems to have been a change in direction for modeling and advertising companies, who now often favor a more 'real' look.

While some point the finger at women who are portrayed as icons by the media, there are some great role models out there. Many celebrities maintain a weight that is difficult for many women to achieve, but stars such as Beyoncé, Emma Watson and recently Kelly Clarkson are trying to promote the importance of being healthy and happy with the way you look.

Emma Watson has recently upped her fashion image, modeling for the latest Burberry campaign. Despite this, the Harry Potter star maintains that she doesn't want to be size zero. "I don't aspire to be super-skinny, it's not pretty. It's not inspirational at all for me," she stated in Grazia this summer.

Kelly Clarkson also commented on her weight in a recent article for American magazine Self. Kelly has had a lot of criticism directed at her about her fluctuating weight. "Sometimes I eat more, sometimes I play more. So I'll be different sizes all the time," says Kelly. "When people talk about my weight, I'm like you seem to have a problem with it. I don't. I'm fine."

Many readers have praised the article for Kelly's confident attitude towards her body image, which she believes comes from "not focusing on yourself" or what others think of you. It's a refreshing change to the many too-thin celebrities we see in the media and it's great that after admitting to suffering from bulimia in the past, she now seems happy with herself.