Disturbing rise of the child women: We've seen it on Alexa and Amal - the waif-like 'young girl' look only a VIP can achieve. But what is the price to their health - and their copycat fans? 

  • Some stars appear to have waists the same sizes as catwalk models, many of whom measure 24in - the same as an eight-year-old child  
  • Experts believe these women are doing real damage to their health
  • Commentators say being skinny is seen as ultimate sign of success

By Jill Foster for the Daily Mail

Published: 18:03 EST, 20 November 2016 | Updated: 02:48 EST, 21 November 2016

They are talented, famous, wealthy and supremely successful. Many are in their 30s and 40s and are wives and mothers.

Yet with their sparrow legs, jutting collarbones and barely a hint of natural breast or hip, you would be forgiven for thinking that many of these celebrities’ bodies could be those of children.

Women such as Alexa Chung and Amal Clooney look so under-developed that, in some cases, critics say they appear pre-pubescent. Disturbingly, some stars appear to have waists the same sizes as catwalk models, many of whom measure 24in — the same as an eight-year-old child.

Critics say celebrities such as Alexa Chung, 33, look so under-developed that, in some cases, they appear pre-pubescent

Amal Clooney, 38, who was a naturally slender bride at her wedding two years ago, appears to have since lost more weight

Of course, this is deeply unhealthy for a woman and can have knock-on effects on fertility and bone density.

So why is it that so many stars covet children’s body shapes? Experts say it’s a way of setting themselves apart from the woman in the street.

Among their circle, being incredibly skinny is seen as the ultimate sign of wealth and success — and unobtainable to most.

With outlet villages and internet sites making designer bags and clothes ubiquitous among the middle classes, an incredibly thin body has become the new way to signal wealth.

Experts say being incredibly skinny is seen as the ultimate sign of wealth and success - and unobtainable to most. Pictured is actress Kate Bosworth, who is 33

Some stars appear to have waists the same sizes as catwalk models, many of whom measure 24in - the same as an eight-year-old child. Pictured is model Jourdan Dunn, 26

It speaks of a lifestyle that includes enough leisure time to spend hours honing your body at the gym, and the income to maintain a fantastically expensive diet and exercise regime.

‘When someone is that thin, it’s almost a badge of honour, a way to show off their absolute A-list success,’ says psychologist Amanda Hills.

‘We live in a culture where obesity is rife, so these woman are setting themselves apart from “ordinary” women by saying: “Look at me. I’m successful and intelligent and can show such self-restraint that I’m on top of my game.”’

She believes that pressure from outside sources as well as from their own personal relationships may play a part.

‘These are some of the most photographed women in the world, so of course they’re conscious of always looking their best. Social media sites such as Instagram, completely based on pictures, have had a huge impact.

Psychologist Amanda Hills suggest being thin is a way for celebrities to show off their success. Pictured is actress Anna Friel, who is 40

‘If these women have no flesh on their bones, they believe that couture dresses will hang well on them. Plus, they’re never going to get snapped looking “big”, even if all they’re doing is taking out the bins.’

The constant pressure on women to look youthful also means many aspire to the willowy pre-teen figures of fashion models.

Amanda Hills says: ‘Many of these women are married to or coupled up with high-profile men, and by reverting to that child-like figure, they may like to think they are clinging on to a youthful look.’

Yet the gaunt frames of child-women in the public eye has been troubling onlookers for some time. Take Amal Clooney, the 38-year-old internationally renowned human rights lawyer at the pinnacle of her career who just happened to marry American heart-throb George Clooney.

A naturally slender bride at her wedding two years ago, she appears to have since lost more weight. And then there’s Angelina Jolie, who since her split from Brad Pitt is looking more fragile than ever. Her arms and legs appeared shockingly thin when she appeared on the red carpet at a recent film premiere.

Hills believes pressure from outside sources may play a part. Pictured is actress Alicia Vikander, 28

The constant pressure on women to look youthful may also be a factor. Pictured is fashion designer Laura Bailey, 44 

At one point the 44-year-old actress’s weight was reported to have fallen to below 6 st, which at her height of 5ft 6in makes her dangerously underweight.

Unsurprisingly, experts believe these women are doing real damage to their health.

‘A low body mass index (BMI) isn’t good,’ says nutritionist Angela Dowden. ‘It’s likely to leave you short of nutrients, such as calcium and iron, which can affect energy levels and increase the risk of osteoporosis in later life. What’s more, the immune system can struggle in the underweight, making catching a cold, flu or other infections more likely.

‘And women can find that their periods stop, increasing the risk of fertility problems.’

‘Yet with access to an army of personal trainers, chefs and make-up artists, it’s easier for female celebrities to still look glossy and gorgeous even on the edges of malnutrition.’

With their waif-like frames, many stars resort to wearing clothes more suitable for little girls — such as short, girlish dresses that skim the body rather than highlight womanly curves.

‘It’s all very warped and depressing,’ says Amanda Hills.

Comments (1288)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now