Australian women plagued by 'fat days'

A survey being conducted by two Australian universities has found almost half the female respondents feel fat every single day. Photo / Herald on Sunday

CANBERRA - Nine out of 10 Australian women have regular "fat days" and most are miserable about their bodies, a survey has found.

The survey, conducted by two Melbourne universities, paints a bleak picture of women who don't like seeing their reflection in the mirror.

More than two-thirds of women feel uncomfortable looking at themselves naked in the shower.

Almost half feel fat every single day and spend each day desperately wanting to lose weight.

About a third of women surveyed were trapped in a "vicious cycle" of repeatedly checking their tummy, thighs and bottom to see how much they could allow themselves to eat.

This made them feel anxious and distressed, according to the survey's principal investigator Adrian Schembri.

Only one woman in 10 was not at all dissatisfied with their weight.

"Australian women have high levels of dissatisfaction with their body shape and weight," Mr Schembri concluded.

He warned that a disturbing number of women were at risk of an eating disorder.

The online survey, entitled What's Really Eating You?, is being conducted by RMIT and La Trobe University and is still open.

More than 400 women have taken part so far.

- AAP