Recently, a few friends of mine have posted this particular video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrp0zJZu0a4#t=97

It depicts a number of historical time frames as well as geographies, and the "ideal women" within that time frame. The video seems to use the most common female figure in art of that time period and geographic location to presume that that womanly figure was ideal.

I realize that there is the gaping assumption that what is depicted in art does not necessarily mean ideal, but I was wondering if we can put that assumption aside for a second, and ask if the "ideal body type" for a woman has indeed changed over time (based on location) or if it is more just a change in how women are depicted in art.

Otherwise, is art imitating life, or is art simply evolving? If it was evolving, what was the reason?