'I started dieting in kindergarten': Size 12 model Barbie Ferreira shares her childhood struggle with body image as she details how she finally found confidence in her curves
The 19-year-old admits in a new video that she started dieting as a child
Barbie, who is signed to Whilemina's plus-size department, says she wants women of all ages to know that there is not just one standard of beauty
The New Yorker says she maintains body confidence by simply 'cutting out' anyone and anything that it isn't a positive influence in her life
Curvy model Barbie Ferreira is urging other women to learn to love their bodies as she admits that she started dieting when she was only in kindergarten.
The 19-year-old speaks candidly about her own struggle with body image in a new video for Glamour magazine in which she reveals how she finally learned how to maintain body confidence.
'I think it's time we stop hating ourselves and feeding into this f*****g bulls**t,' the size 12 fashion star explains at the start of the clip.
Barbie, who is signed to New York-based agency Whilemina's plus-size division, goes on to say that although she thinks people should 'embrace and celebrate' their different races, genders, and identities, there is more to a person than the things they are 'always known for'.
However, she also admitted that it took her years to get over the idea that she should be dieting in order to lose weight - something she started doing when she was as young as five.
'I am more than just a curvy girl,' she says. 'I used to diet all the time as a kid. I started dieting in like kindergarten. I don't recommend it, but I also don't judge people who want to do things with their body.
'I just think dieting is something that is run by a billion dollar — a multi billion dollar industry — that isn't always looking out for your heath,' she adds. 'There's healthy ways to do it.'
Barbie points out that exercising and 'eating clean foods that aren't processed' are great ways to take care of your body, but it is ultimately your decision on how you want to live your life.
'As a young girl who was not confident in myself, I think would tell girls of all ages that there is no one type of beauty and looking towards one standard is the most unhealthy thing in the world,' she says.
Barbie explains she stays confident by simply 'cutting out' anyone and anything that it isn't a positive influence in her life.
'When you surround yourself with really good energy, really good people, you almost don't even think about your body as anything but something to nourish yourself and keep you running,' she says.
The brunette beauty also notes that there are much more important things that you can be focusing on in you life instead of your physical appearance.
'I am so sorry that you feel the need to care so much about what someone else looks like,' she says. 'I've never looked at someone and been like. "I have the need to comment on the way you look because I don't like it."
'I kind of feel bad for you body shamers. It's okay. I forgive you.'
After actress Leslie Jones revealed on Twitter last week that designers wouldn't dress her for the premiere of Ghostbusters, Barbie tweeted her own frustrations with the treatment of curvy women in Hollywood.
'Fashions discontent for curvy women is this crazy they won't make a dress not in sample size for a premiere .. Wow,' she tweeted, but she didn't stop there.
'Bruh finding designer dresses for events when ur not a size 0,2, MAYBE 8 is impossible . Why is this ? There are curvy FAMOUS ACTRESSES/PPL [sic],' she continued. 'And hearing an actress in a huge film having similar struggles ... Girl I feel hopeless . Am I gonna have to wear Sears when I win my Oscar?'
