A SIZE eight teenage model said being bullied for being too fat on Australia's Next Top Model sent a dangerous message to vulnerable young viewers.

Alissandra Moone, 18, who at 57kg is considered underweight on the Australian body mass index, was "stunned" when her size became an issue on Foxtel's top-rating show.

Judge Alex Perry has openly criticised Moone's body, likening it to "overstuffed luggage", and the clash is set to reach a head on tonight's episode.

Perry this morning took to Twitter and Channel Nine's Mornings with Kerri-Anne to answer his critics, saying it was "incorrect reporting".

The Minister for Youth Peter Garrett said the statement's were outrageous.

"Comments like these send the wrong message to young people who watch the program and I find them very concerning - what planet is he on?" Mr Garrett told News.com.au.

"Promoting positive body image has been one of my priorities as Youth Minister. In July we sent every school in the country a poster and information pack as part of our ‘Respect Every Body’ campaign, and we’ve also given funding to the Butterfly Foundation for its ‘Free to BE’ body esteem resources.



"Everyone has an ideal weight for their body and that’s what we should all aspire to."

Responding to people tweeting their anger over his comments, Perry said:

@AlexPerry007 bek, watch the episode, I was referring to her posing skills in a confined space, NOT her size. Alex ;i-)

The model at the centre of the controversy, Alissandra Moone, yesterday said: "It's a very bad message to be sending to young girls who watch the show.

"It's harsh. It's stupid. And it's out of touch. I understand it's a reality of the (modelling) industry but this is a TV show and they should have a responsibility to censor that kind of thing.

"I know this has happened to other girls in the past but I was shocked when he (Perry) said I was too fat.

"I'm only a size eight. There's going to be a lot of young girls watching this who are bigger than me, and how's this going to make them feel?"

The average dress size for most Aussie women is a 12 to 14, while the most recent Mission Australia youth survey showed body image was the most serious concern facing young people between 11 and 24 -- above bullying, drugs and family conflict.

"I understand it's probably a reality of the industry but no one likes to be told they look fat - regardless of what job you are in," Moone said. "I have never thought of myself as fat. I am a health freak. I go to the gym and eat well."

A spokeswoman for the ButterFly Foundation, which is aimed at educating and supporting people with eating disorders, said: "The (fashion) industry has a responsibility for portraying women of all healthy sizes and in playing a strong educated role in the contribution they make to the serious issue of negative body image.

"We encourage Top Model to be conscious of the example they set to their impressionable viewers."

The critique of Moone's size is in stark contrast to Melbourne Spring Fashion Week organisers' decision this year to only use models with a healthy BMI. Models will be vetted by casting agents to ensure they are not too thin before they are signed up.

The face of this year's festival Sophie van den Akker - a former ANTM contestant herself - is also a size eight.

"As a role model, I think an eight to 10 is more realistic. I think people are more attracted to that than seeing skin and bone," van den Akker has said.