A blogger who battled crippling body dysmorphia as a size 10 says she is the happiest she has ever been after gaining three dress sizes and pursuing a career as a plus-size model.

From a young age, Danica Marjanovic, from Belfast, was 'miserable' over her figure lost a considerable amount of weight, but never felt happy with her appearance.

But after a difficult break-up, the 24-year-old decided to start focusing on being positive rather than fixating on her insecurities, Danica embraced them by putting on weight and thrusting it into the spotlight via her blog.

Now Danica, who has not disclosed her weight, is taking the next step into accepting her new body, by entering a plus-size modelling competition.

Scroll down for video

Transformation: Danica battled with body dysmorphia as a size 10 (left) but has since put on three dress sizes and is happier than ever (right)

Danica said: 'I've always had a curvy body, so I think that's also what played into my body dysmorphia. Even when I was so slim, I was probably about a size 10 on top, to me that still wasn't good enough.

'I started my journey with body positivity probably about a year ago. I blog about my body because I've suffered quite low self esteem my entire life.'

A 2015 report commissioned by Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, estimates more than 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder.

Danica originally began using Instagram and YouTube as a diary to document her make up, diet and daily life.

What is body dysmorphia? Body dysmorphic disorder, or dysmorphia/ BDD, is a form of crippling distorted self-image that is believed to affect roughly one in every 100 women in the UK. People with BDD may: . Constantly compare their looks with other people's . Spend a long time in front of a mirror, and at other times avoid mirrors altogether . Spend a long time concealing what they believe is a defect . Become distressed by a particular area of their body (commonly their face) . Feel anxious when around other people . Seek medical treatment for the perceived defect – for example, they may have cosmetic surgery, which is unlikely to relieve their distress . Excessively diet and exercise Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

Curvy: was motivated to start her life on a new journey of body positivity, self acceptance and self love, and rather than be overwhelmed by her insecurities, Danica embraced them by thrusting them into the spotlight via her blog

Self acceptance: Danica is now taking the next step into accepting her new body, by entering a plus-size modelling competition

Danica (pictured as a size 10, left and 16, right) said: 'I've always had a curvy body, so I think that's also what played into my body dysmorphia. Even when I was so slim, I was probably about a size 10 on top, to me that still wasn't good enough'

She explained: 'When I look at photos from back then, I can remember the exact emotion that I felt at that certain time and I just remember being really unhappy and miserable.

'I went through a really nasty break up which kind of brought to the surface a lot of mental health issues that I have been battling with for years that I never really got the right help.

'I quit my job and I had to move back home to my mum's house.

'I wanted to start posting about body positivity online, I kind of thought to myself - what was the scariest thing I could do that would challenge those insecurities that I have about myself.

Explaining why she put on three dress sizes, Danica said: 'I started my journey with body positivity probably about a year ago. I blog about my body because I've suffered quite low self esteem my entire life'

Not alone: A 2015 report commissioned by Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, estimates more than 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder (pictured, Danica before)

Journey: Danica originally began using Instagram and YouTube as a diary to document her make up, diet and daily life

Danica (pictured this year) explained: 'When I look at photos from back [when I was a size 10], I can remember the exact emotion that I felt at that certain time and I just remember being really unhappy and miserable'

'My blog helps me deal with my mental health firstly because showing my body is obviously helping my self esteem which is a huge impact on my depression - I see it like my online diary.'

This year, after searching for body positivity inspiration online, Danica stumbled on a body confidence modelling event called Miss Curvaceous and decided to enter.

She said: 'Ms. Curvaceous is a modelling competition based for women size 12 and up, and it's just all about encouraging women to feel confident, if they want to get into the modelling industry.

'I'm not a model. I've never done a catwalk, and I have to be walking in front of judges. That alone is going to be a big deal for me body [dysmorphia] I'm just generally really excited to go to the audition.'

The size 16 stunner explains: 'I went through a really nasty break up which kind of brought to the surface a lot of mental health issues that I have been battling with for years that I never really got the right help'

The plus-size blogger said: 'I wanted to start posting about body positivity online, I kind of thought to myself - what was the scariest thing I could do that would challenge those insecurities that I have about myself'

Speaking about her blogging, Danica said: 'My blog helps me deal with my mental health firstly because showing my body is obviously helping my self esteem which is a huge impact on my depression - I see it like my online diary'

This year, after searching for body positivity inspiration online, Danica stumbled on a body confidence modelling event called Miss Curvaceous and decided to enter

Danica (pictured as a little girl) added: 'I'm not a model. I've never done a catwalk, and I have to be walking in front of judges. That alone is going to be a big deal for me body dysmo I'm just generally really excited to go to the audition'

Danica feels auditioning for Ms. Curvaceous will be the start of a new chapter in her body positivity journey.

She said: 'Two years ago I couldn't walk down the street without having a panic attack, so coming from that level to being able to walk in front of people and being proud of my figure. To now be up to UK size 16, it's possible to love yourself at any size.

'You are beautiful if you have stretch marks, you are beautiful if you have stomach rolls, you are beautiful if you have cellulite.

'That doesn't determine your level of respect from others.'