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Monday, 20 October, 2003, 05:28 GMT 06:28 UK

Most women 'hate their bodies'

Plastic surgeon and patient Most women hate their bodies and would go under the plastic surgeon's knife if it was free, according to a new survey.

Six in 10 of the 45,000 women questioned said they could not stand the way they looked, while just over one in three were "fairly happy" and only one in 25 was "completely happy".

The stomach is the body part most are aching to change (40%), followed by hips and thighs (24%), breasts (16%) and bottom (7%).

Some 56% would change one or two things with cosmetic surgery if it was free - and nearly one in 10 would change the lot.

Clothes shopping

Four in ten worry about their body shape every day and more than one in three dream of losing at least two stones.

Shopping for clothes fuels the most body angst for 26% of those who took part in the internet poll.

And 34% say any social situation makes them feel body shy, while 23% feel awkward sunbathing on the beach.

Sheila Sang, head of the Women's Channel at AOL, which carried out the nationwide survey, said: "We are living in a world obsessed by fad dieting, celebrity makeovers and image.

"So it's not surprising that people set themselves such high standards that can sometimes be unrealistic."



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Related to this story:
Three million follow Atkins diet (01 Sep 03  |  Health )
Chinese woman seeks perfect beauty (24 Jul 03  |  Asia-Pacific )
Mothers 'put babies on diets' (14 Jul 03  |  Health )
Pick your celebrity diet here (06 Jan 03  |  UK News )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Your Weight - Body Image
One Life - Body Image
Science - Extreme Cosmetics
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