“” models (or any models above the super-skinny norm, for that matter) serve a dual purpose: They showcase plus-size clothing for a growing market… and they also provide women with a more diverse range of bodies to look up to.

So if we have plus-size women modeling clothes, why not have plus-size Barbies? That’s the question posed recently by on Facebook, when the group posted an illustration of a plus-size Barbie-like doll:

But when posted last week by Plus-Size-Modeling.com, the depiction of a Barbie with a double-chin and curvier limbs sparked debate. Over 35,000 people have “liked” it, but many have taken issue with the doll’s so-called extreme size. “No one is naturally fat for god’s sake, that’s sending the message to girls that it’s ok to look like this and be unhealthy…” said one commenter. Another noted, “IMO this is horrible. Maybe make her a little fuller,but in no way promote obesity. Triple chins?? Really?? Im a curvy girl,but come on this is ridiculous.”

The debate mirrors one currently being waged in the fashion world. When lingerie store Curvy Girl kicked off a campaign to share images of “regular” women in lingerie, several of whom are overweight, the campaign was criticized for supposedly encouraging unhealthy habits and promoting obesity. (More at – HuffPo Style)