Leading modelling agency Models Direct has been very interested in recently conducted research by Central YMCA and the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England.

The survey, which explores public attitudes towards images of models in the media and advertising, and the impact they have on body image, has backed up the agency’s push for more diversity in the modelling industry.

Shockingly, the research indicates that at least 1 in 4 adults feel depressed about their bodies; 42.4% of men and 30% women would like their bodies to look like the models who appear on magazines; and 75.6% of men and 86.2% women think that airbrushing has a negative effect on people’s body image.

Young people were also found to have body issues, with over half of the adolescent girls surveyed admitting that girls at their school have body image problems.

But, in what is perhaps the most interesting finding, the survey went on the reveal that close to half of men and women combined believe greater diversity of models in advertising, magazines, fashion and on TV – including body shapes and size – is the number one strategy that would help to promote positive body image.

By continuing to promote this so-called ideal body image – tall, skinny and young – to the exclusion of ‘real’, relatable and diverse models, the mass media has undeniably caused a detrimental effect on body image.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of us can not achieve or maintain the bodies that are continually promoted to us – it’s estimated that less than 5% of the population could ever look like, or have the body of a classic ‘straight’ model – the pressure on all of us to look like models doesn’t go away.

The media and advertisers are convinced that only using body image ideals will sell products or magazines, but research proves time and time again that this simply isn’t true.

The survey results suggest that the public has an appetite for more diverse body images in media and advertising, with almost half of adults saying they wanted to see different body shapes and sizes, varieties of ages, ethnicities and a wider range of physical appearances.

The team at the modelling agency would love to hear your thoughts – do model choices affect you, and if so, would you like to see more diversity on the modelling scene?