After years of criticism that Barbie’s body shape created unrealistic expectations for young girls, Mattel is now responding.

The toymaker has released curvy, tall and petite body types, along with a variety of skin tones, eye colours and hairstyles.

The goal is to have the new dolls reflect real women.

“We live in a diverse culture and see different skin colour, hair colour, body types everywhere you go,” said parent Cheryl Law. “To have a doll that girls can find and play with, that they can see themselves in, I think it's a great idea.”

Mattel's target audience – and their parents – also seem to be playing along.

“I think you could argue that you're never going to get it correct,” said Law. “You're going to see one thing that they trying to change and you can argue that it's not far enough, but taking a step in the right direction, and showing the different body types and diverse images is a good step.”

Barbie has had hundreds of careers since her debut back in 1959, but this is the first time there's been a change in her historically disproportionate waistline.

"Barbie has been criticized a bit over the last 20 or 30 years around perpetuating a thin stereotype for girls,” said councillor Shaleen Jones.

Jones has seen firsthand the negative effects of having an unrealistic body image.

“When we have children who are playing with toys in which a thin ideal is really promoted, they can eternalize messages around thin being the only body type that's acceptable to have, which can lead to them to having pressures around their own body image,” said Jones.

But Jones says the influence of the Barbie brand isn't as prominent as it used to be.

“From a parent’s perspective, kids should be encouraged to play with a variety of toys and this is a very a small change Mattel is doing,” said Jones. “I don't think it's going to have any real impact on eating disorders or body image for girls.”

The new dolls aren't in stores yet, but are available for pre-order online and will start being shipped in February.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Caitlin Andrea.