Modern trend: Everybody wants to be slim

If the trend being this was popular among noble circles in ancient times, either in the East or West, it was spread among all circles in modern times thanks to mass media. The bombardment of fashion magazines, newspapers and television has promoted the trend and has become a "truth" recognized by all social levels.

All media coverage seems to convey that to be thin "is to be beautiful" and the concept has been grasped by most women and thus weight-loss has become a public issue.

A bikini contest in Guangzhou, China, June 29, 2014. [Photo/CFP]