Curvy is the new skinny. Or are we simply in denial?

I read a pretty hard-hitting article yesterday by a woman who questioned whether being 'curvy' simply legitimised being overweight. There's no denying that we're bombarded with photos of striking, picture perfect (and might I add natural ectomorphs) like Cara Delevinge and Nicole Scherzinger, and sure, most women would take their bodies over their own. 

But times are changing, we have adverts by popular companies promoting 'real women', plus size models at London Fashion Week and, every so often, we're reminded that Marilyn Monroe was a sexy size 14. I do wonder, what does curvy mean? And is it a good thing that Britain's love of voluptuous women is going viral? 

These are the women we're calling curvy. They don't look too large if you ask me.
(Source: ZEST Magazine May 2013 issue)

Okay, I realise that I don't think I've made an actual point yet so here goes....Beyonce, Kimberley Walsh and Jennifer Lopez are pretty slim compared to the 32% of UK women who are overweight and the further 26% who are obese. We Brits are the largest women in the whole of Europe. I'm not advocating starving yourself so that you can saunter down a catwalk wishing you could have a slice of carrot cake, I'm just recommending celebrating health and treating your body with a bit of respect. Rumour has it, you only get one.  This entry applies to men too by the way; I'm not a neo-feminist, I just work with what I know! Obesity (male and female) costs the NHS £5.1 billion per year, a brisk walk costs you nothing. You do the maths.