“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” vice president of Spartan Body Pride and neuroscience junior Neena Shah said. “And it’s great that Barbie is becoming more diverse. It is definitely positive for children to be exposed to a greater variety of features that are represented in a positive manner.”

Because of the effect of media on a person's mind, health professionals are also loving Barbie’s new look — though more could be done, nutrition program coordinator with Student Health Services at MSU Anne Buffington said.

"I still think there is more work to be done to promote positive body image messages to young girls and boys to help accept their own unique body and those of others," Buffington said. "Maybe it’s time to reconsider the Ken doll body too?”

Chen Lou, a doctoral student studying consumer behavior and media psychology at MSU, said the dolls are very influential.

“They’re doing this to try and empower young women,” Lou said. “Kids know things, they internalize the messages toys like this say to them. If a girl doesn’t look like Barbie growing up, if she looks like something different, she might not think she’s beautiful.”

Lou said there are effects of Western beauty standards on other countries.

“American beauty standards are so powerful around the world,” Lou said. “A lot of Asian countries have their own beauty standards, but sometimes can be obsessed with having bigger eyes and sharper noses, and so subconsciously, they are being affected by this change too.”

Buffington said Barbies are a very small component of a much larger issue.

“You are so much more than a number,” Buffington said. “Since we live in a weight-obsessed world, you could probably use a reminder that your value and self-worth cannot be measured by a number on the scale or the size of your clothes.”