Hollywood star Kate Winslet said she finds the current fashion for ultra-thin "size zero" models and actresses "unbelievably disturbing".

"It's so disturbing because young girls are impressionable from 11 up to 19 or 20 even; women are very impressionable at those ages," Winslet told BBC TV's Sunday AM program.

"They're trying to figure out who they are, and they want to be loved, and what I resent is that there is an image of perfection that is getting thinner and thinner, and it's truly upsetting to me."

Stick-thin celebrities such as Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham have been accused of being poor role models for young women and of contributing to a rise in eating disorders. A major fashion event in Madrid banned ultra-thin models from the catwalk earlier this year, and other fashion shows have indicated they plan to do the same.

Winslet, whose films include Titanic and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, said it was "unbelievably disturbing what's going on at the moment."

The British actress, whose latest film is seasonal romcom The Holiday, said she refuses to allow any magazines featuring the rake-thin models into her house for fear her six-year-old daughter, Mia, will see them.

"It's only a matter of time before she becomes aware of it, and it frightens the life out of me," said Winslet, who is married to the director Sam Mendes.

Winslet, 31, said she hoped her success would be an inspiration to others.

"I hope that in some small way I'm able to say 'I'm a normal person, I'm doing all right, I've got a lovely husband and children and I didn't lose weight to find those things, and those things are what should be important."'