Keep it curvy

No waif-like skin and bone for our boys - they want REAL women, according to the BEN's street poll.

And it looks like they're in luck because 1999 could be the "Year of The Curves."

At last women can ditch the diet and eat what they want - happy with their ample bottoms and thighs.

A survey by Nivea on women in the Bolton area reveals only a handful of them would like smaller hips or thinner legs.

The stunning, and very curvy actress, Kate Winslett - a voluptuous English rose - has put all the supermodels in the shade by being voted Body of The Year in Nivea's annual search for Britain's favourite female form.

Winslett beat the slimline limbs of Denise Van Outen, the diminutive frame of Kylie Minogue and the honed body of Sporty Spice to clinch the title.

And in America TV bosses are searching for a "fuller figure" actress to slip into one of the famous red swimsuits of Baywatch - apparently the programme wants to show "real" women doing the job of lifeguard.

Even last year's Miss World contestants were noticably rounder - Miss Sweden, a plump blonde, had to be sewn into her evening gown after splitting the seams, according to one report.

So could this see the end of the "Superwaif"? Is skinny no longer sexy?

Health experts tell us women should be aiming for a healthy body and, if the results of the survey are anything to go by, we are now intent on making the best of what we've got and not trying to slim down from a size 14 to a tiny size eight.

Psychologists say that women have consistently been wrong about what men find sexually attractive which, apparently, is the very opposite of their bodies.

We took to the streets of Bolton to ask women if they could change any part of their body, which bit would it be.

We also asked men what they prefer - curvy or skinny. Teresa Saunders, from Irlam welcomed the news that curves were fashionable.

"I've battled with my weight for as long as I can remember and I'm always on a diet.

"I'm naturally curvy so no matter how much I starve myself , I'll never be thin. Now I don't need to be."

Teresa's husband, Keith applauded the return of the curve. "I like women with a bit of meat on them," he said. "All these skinny models don't do anything for me.

"A woman should be curvy, not straight u p and down. What's feminine about looking like a boy? Absolutely nothing."

Patricia Griffiths, from Swinton, admits she never has to diet but agrees all women should feel happy with how they look.

"I know women who are constantly on a diet - they're never happy because they're always hungry," she said.

"I'm lucky because I can eat what I want and not put weight on but I know I'd find it hard to diet.

"Women think they have to fit a certain image - a very skinny one - because of the models used to promote clothes."

Nora Lomax, also from Swinton, said it was good women now have a choice.

"It's the younger girls who are the most vulnerable - they think they have to look like these skinny models.

"At least Kate Winslett looks happy and healthy - she's an excellent role model for any woman."

Catherine Dee, 18, from Bury says she never diets. "I'm happy with the way I look although I wouldn't mind having longer legs.

"But why should I starve myself just to look like some skinny model - no, I'm quite happy eating what I like and looking and feeling healthy."

Catherine's mum, Gill, agrees. "Catherine's never had to bother dieting but I'd deter her from doing so anyway.

"It's more important to have a healthy body than a skinny one and Kate Winslett proves this - she looks lovely and she has a figure that's attainable."

A "wish list" survey by Nivea on women in the Bolton area revealed how they felt about their bodies:

One-in-five said they would really like to be more toned and have a flatter stomach

Only one-in-10 wanted a smaller bottom or thinner legs, however the same number wanted bigger breasts

Only 25pc said they would like smaller hips

Nearly half the respondents liked their eyes most, with hair and skin as the next most important features

And to keep the curves toned:

Exercising three times a week for over half who answered the survey (53pc) with nine-out-of-10 exercising at least once or twice a week

The most popular form of exercise was aerobic with 55pc following exercise regimes such as dance, aerobics or circuit training

A third took resistance work - swimming or power walking - followed by one-in-five who preferred a slower toning exercise such as yoga or body conditioning.

Are YOU proud of your curves? Have you ditched your diet plan and decided to eat what you want, when you want?

If you have, please let us know by contacting Karen Stephen at the BEN, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE or telephone 01204 522345 ext 348.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.