Women 'favour size zero'

Six out of ten women think size zero is attractive and 97 per cent consider size 12 to be "fat", a survey has found.

Celebrities such as Nicole Richie are said to be risking their health with their dramatic weight loss, but a majority of women found the look desirable, according to the poll.

The survey also found that 97 per cent of women would rather have pals who are fatter than them, while 76 per cent admitted they are jealous of slimmer friends.

Six out of ten women had friends who had criticised their body shape and four out of ten said their mothers had urged them to lose weight.

The survey also showed the lengths women have gone to lose weight. Almost half had taken slimming pills or diet drugs while one in five had taken laxatives. Meanwhile 13 per cent confessed to taking speed or cocaine to speed up their metabolism and suppress their appetite.

Half of the 5,000 women questioned said they had gone without food all day before a big night out in order to fit into a dress.

New Woman editor Helen Johnston said: "For the first time, this survey is evidence of the staggering impact size zero has had on British women, with six out of ten thinking this minuscule size is desirable. It is also deeply disturbing that 97 per cent think size 12 is fat.

"No wonder so many women say they can't eat normally any more because they're trying to achieve the unachievable."

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