Beauty contests are in a state of flux currently. The people who run them, wish to continue running them as I assume they are money-making enterprises still and yet, at the same time, are trying to downplay the beauty aspect of it. This why the Miss America contest no longer has a swimsuit segment. If one wants to pretend that its about brains and talent, then why not just submit their college entrance scores and be done with it" I know, many colleges no longer have entrance exams, but you get the point.
There is a movement in this country to promote all body types as positive as there are a lot more obese people in this country than slim ones and so this, I guess, allows people to feel better about themselves. The "healthy fat" movement is a product of such thinking.
If people want to believe this about themselves, then by all means do so, but it seems that medical science would suggest otherwise.
America spends a staggering amount on health care and many, certainly not all, ailments are self-inflicted. While I do not advocate extreme measures to achieve "an ideal body" starving oneself, crazy surgeries, plastic or otherwise, working out and eating right should be applauded as these habits usually contribute to greater quantity and quality of life.
In the end, it seems that much of the criticisms of beauty contests have at least some basis in jealousy. If you don't like them, then don't watch them, but don't judge others for what they do.
That is my opinion, you are entitled to yours.