A Ukrainian model dubbed the “human Barbie” has revealed she is training herself to live off only light and air.

Valeria Lukyanova, 23, has admitted using plastic surgery and Photoshop to cultivate her doll-like appearance – but her tiny waist could also be a result of not eating for weeks.

"In recent weeks I have not been hungry at all; I'm hoping it's the final stage before I can subsist on air and light alone," she told the International Business Times .

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Ms Lukyanova said she is converting to Breatharianism, a cult that believes food – and possibly water – is not necessary for human survival.

It has been criticised as pseudo-science – with some adherents reportedly dying of starvation.

With her cinched in waist, platinum blonde hair and vacant stare, Ms Lukyanova has attracted international criticism for her self-objectification and obsession with achieving an unrealistic concept of perfection.

In August she was the subject of Vice documentary Space Barbie , which explored her bizarre life and beliefs.

In a previous interview with The Daily Beast, she described herself as “a lecturer on the subject of out-of-body travel” and said that her appearance is a tool to “promote” her “spiritual ideas”.

Ms Lukyanova has a strong following across social media sites, with over 59,000 subscribers on YouTube, more than 9,500 followers on Twitter, and various Facebook pages dedicated to her.

Video courtesy of Vice