Ashley Graham and Sports Illustrated criticised by Cheryl Tiegs after size 16 model is featured on the cover

The 68-year-old herself has graced the coveted issue several times

Cheryl Tiegs (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Former Sports Illustrated model Cheryl Teigs has criticised the decision to put Ashley Graham on this year’s Swimsuit Issue, claiming it is “glamorising full-figured women”.

Graham, a UK size-16, became the first model of her size to be put on the cover, which was unveiled last month. The 28-year-old is also a prominent body positive campaigner and credited the magazine's decision to cast her as a victory for “every woman who felt like she wasn’t beautiful enough because of her size”.

Her cover has been widely praised and heralded as a shift in beauty standards. However, Teigs, 68, didn’t agree when asked about it by E! News. “Actually I don’t like it that we’re talking about full figured women because it’s glamorising them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That’s what Dr.Oz said and I’m sticking to it.”

Dr Mehmet Oz. is a US surgeon who hosts his own show The Dr Oz Show and used to frequently appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Tiegs has appeared on his show several times.

She continued: “No I don’t think it’s healthy. Her face is beautiful. Beautiful. But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”

Teigs was the first model to be cast on the cover of the Swimsuit Issue twice. Her career also saw her appear on the cover of multiple other magazines including Time in 1978 when she was dubbed the “All-American Model”.

Graham was included as a “rookie” for the 2016 cover along with UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and model Hailey Clauson.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Graham for comment.