Earlier this month, Whitney Thompson became the first plus-size model to win America’s Next Top Model. The 20-year-old Florida native is 5 feet 10 inches tall with a bust-waist-hip measurement of 36-32-43 inches and wears a U.S. dress size 10.

Thanks, Tyra Banks. It’s refreshing to see a thick girl get the glory — but you really skimped it on the “plus size.”

Though Thompson may be significantly larger than her competitors on the show, her build is average, if not small for her height when it comes to being a normal woman. Sure, it’s a modeling competition, and models rarely reflect reality, but if the show’s judges were to choose a plus-size winner, why not pick someone who wears an actual plus size?

Lane Bryant, one of the first large-scale producers of plus-size clothing in North America, has its smallest size at 14, which is the average woman’s dress size in the United States. And, of course, the store’s models wear at least size 14 — the size worn by Marilyn Monroe. They are often pictured in free-flowing outfits or shirtless in order to advertise the company’s bras for busty women.

Thompson, however, is slimmer than the 34 percent of American women older than 20 who are obese. Throughout the competition, she was often photographed wearing corsets and almost always with her abdomen covered.

Encouraging a bigger model to tuck away what curves she does have defeats the purpose. She has great potential to be an excellent role model — even if she doesn’t technically wear a “plus size” — but if young women see photographers and directors hiding her thickness, chances are they’ll take the same cues, and breaking the size-0 mold will become a moot point.

America’s Next Top Model has featured plus-size competitors in the past. Ever since the tabloids tore Tyra apart for her weight gain a few years ago, she’s made it her mission to enforce a positive body image for young women. But last season’s plus-size woman lost too much weight, and another a few seasons before — who was an actual plus size — didn’t have enough “spark.”

Thompson is pretty and, I’m sure, a good model. And showing that the modeling industry can handle more than 110 lbs. of woman is a great message. But if you’re going to make a statement, be bold.

This effort to include a plus-size woman in the fashion industry is a half-hearted step in the right direction. To truly recognize full-figured ladies, the show should look for a woman who is a better representation of the average American woman.

Next time, Tyra, go all the way and choose a size 14 — at least.