Report says women's body shape be called Da Vinci, Rembrandt or Rubens

WOMEN have never been happy about it, but now comparing female bodies to pieces of fruit has really gone pear-shaped. "Any effort to put a label on a women's body is always going to be dangerous in terms of making women feel like they should look a certain way," Ms Morgan said.

"But at least these categories let women know that all types of body shapes have been around for a long time and have been considered beautiful by artists throughout history."

The new artist-based categories are included in The Shape Report, released today, which surveyed more than 1500 people in Australia and New Zealand about women's body shapes.

The study, commissioned by underwear manufacturer Triumph, revealed 79 per cent of men are happy with their partner's body but only 30 per cent of women are content with their own shape.

It also found that women did not like their body shape being referred to as a fruit and or any other inanimate object.

Triumph Head of Sales and Marketing Karen Ashley said the six new artist body shapes were designed to help women celebrate their shape.

Social commentator Melinda Tankard-Reist agreed with the sentiment, but was also wary of the new artist categories.

"If we want to promote healthy body image we really need to focus on a healthy lifestyle at any weight or shape," she said.

Jess Wilson and Marina Sharanova deal with women's insecurities about their body every day in their jobs at wedding stylist Johanna Johnson in Paddington.

"I spend a lot of time with women talking about the parts of their body they are not happy with and are trying to disguise on their big day," Ms Wilson, 23, a Da Vinci, said.

Health experts are calling for an end to the labelling of bodies as apples and pears saying it dehumanises women and puts pressure on young girls to look a certain way.

Instead a new report is recommending the female form be referred by six new categories based on the work of iconic artists.

The categories include the straight up and down Da Vinci, the full bust and bottom Rebrandt and the well-proportioned Rubens.

Chief Executive Officer of eating disorder group The Butterfly Foundation, Christine Morgan, said the artist-based descriptions were a more positive way of referring to women's bodies.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/body-soul/report-says-womens-body-s...