Great article Cassandra!
As for body image, I had the opposite problem. From 16 yrs old to 30 years old, I was (90 lbs.)a size 0 and still remain only 5 ft even. I envied the taller, curvy girls because they had a figure while I still had the body of a boy and had to shop in the KIDS section!! Munchkin, smurf, etc were demeaning and it was difficult to get anyone to take me seriously. It got so bad that I became an angry introverted person who yelled and insulted strangers before they could do it to me.
At 30 yrs old, much to my delight, I put away the t-shirt and got a 36C bra!! I can fit into size 7/9 pants!! Now at 40 yrs old, I have a 36, 26, 34 figure!! My weight fluctuates between 113 and 121. I am thrilled!! Since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to have butt and boobs!! So to all of you beautiful, big curvy women--I ENVIED YOU FOR 30 YEARS!! Love your figure and yourself because you. are. gorgeous!