Retailers are being urged to use larger fashion dummies to keep up with the average dress size and avoid reinforcing "unrealistic" ideals.

The call was made by an eating disorder clinician and a politician who lost his daughter to anorexia.

They asked the British Retail Consortium to advise fashion outlets to move away from size-10 mannequins to reflect that the average British woman has grown from size 12 to 16 in a decade.

Dr Jane Morris, lead clinician in the Managed Clinical Network for Eating Disorders North Scotland, said: "Accepting a range of body images, whilst embracing individuality and diversity is likely to reduce the incidence of eating disorders and many other disorders characterised by low self-esteem and obsessionality.

"Any effort to widen public perception as to what constitutes attractiveness can only be healthy and civilised."

Dennis Robertson, SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire West, joined Dr Morris in writing to the consortium with their concerns.

Mr Robertson's daughter Caroline died in 2011 after suffering with anorexia for five years.

"I think it is important that a range of models and mannequins are used to celebrate the diversity in our society. It is equally important to remember how young people can be influenced by what they see in shop windows, magazines or adverts," he said.

"Young people can be easily influenced from what they see in shop windows or fashion magazines, and these images can promote an unhealthy lifestyle which can lead to eating disorders.

"It is not just the responsibility of medical professionals to help tackle the issue, the media and fashion industry must show some action and I hope the British Retail Consortium will take action and issue advice to the fashion industry."