The event was a sports seminar. It was not geared specifically to 9 year olds... Most of the girls were probably in their early teens. The point of one of the presentations was about the pressure kids are under with respect to unrealistic expections and pressure, etc, etc.
Watching her play soccer with her peers, I can't disagree with you about self image at their age. There didn't seem to be much. All the girls were getting along really well.
You could be right about all the WHY's though. I don't know the exact reasons, but we are trying are best to keep her well rounded as she gets older and the peer pressure starts.
My point was when you have toys geared to preteens blatently stating this message, I think a boundary has been crossed.