Powerful women in top jobs now 'slimmer'

The 12 candidates - six obese and six slim - had identical educational CVs, but those who were overweight were judged more poorly by volunteer students who took part in the study.

Former Tory Minister Ann Widdecombe was criticised for her appearance and subsequently lost weight when she appeared on the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' show.

She said society made demands on how women should look.

"I think the pressure on women to be concerned about their appearance has always been there," she said.

But Heather Jackson, chief executive of the Women's Business Forum believes that successful female professionals are at last recognising the health benefits of being slimmer.

"You only have to look at the FTSE 100 to see the best leaders - men or women - are not obese people,' she is quoted.. 'You have to be healthy and fit to be effective," Jackson added. (ANI)

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