photo: Bernat Armangue / APThere’s been more in the news recently about models and actresses being “too skinny,” when previously the message has been “you can never be too skinny or too rich.”
It’s a well-known fact among womankind that models set an unrealistic standard—and the quest to be thin can be deadly. The most recent wakeup call came when Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died in November 2006 at age 21. She was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed just 88 pounds, and had a BMI (body mass index) of 13.4.
Italian designers in December agreed to health and age guidelines for runway models, The Associated Press reported. Now New York City Council member Gail Brewer wants fashion houses to ban any model with a body mass index of less than 18.5 -- the cutoff for the World Health Organization's definition of "normal." (up to 24.9)
Brewer said she wants models to be educated on nutrition and designers to encourage healthful lifestyles. "We want the designers to offer some clothes that are a little bit more robust," she also told CNN, "and we certainly don't want people under the age of 16 to be modeling.
Models are often women’s mirrors—who they compare themselves to. I’m not saying this is how it should be, but I certainly think it’s time for culture to start recognizing the impossible and unhealthy ideal that’s presented on the runways.
Models are often women’s mirrors—who they compare themselves to. I’m not saying this is how it should be, but I certainly think it’s time for culture to start recognizing the impossible and unhealthy ideal that’s presented on the runways.
Models don’t need more education about nutrition. I think they know how to eat, but they choose not to because they’re not allowed to if they want to keep their profession. The rules of the profession need to change, so models portray an image of beauty and health.
However, if women want to see an image of beauty and health, perhaps fashion models are not the best role models in the first place. I want to look to models like Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth, and Esther (in the Bible).
However, if women want to see an image of beauty and health, perhaps fashion models are not the best role models in the first place. I want to look to models like Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth, and Esther (in the Bible).
2 comments:
I give huge props to Tyra Banks in this area, who has been fighting back against those who criticize her recent weight gain. She looks amazing, and more importantly, she looks healthy. On the flip side, I have seen her co-judges on America's Next Top Model make horrendously skewed comments about a contestant's weight. Which ticks me off more than I can say every time I hear it.
Knowing what falls into the healthy BMI zone for a person my height, I know that even 18 is a little low as a standard. But it is an improvement nonetheless. Props to Italian designers for finally stepping up. Hopefully, Christian media and influential believers will work toward continually stepping up as well. Like many things, we often want to address the subject without being too taboo. That weak, Pharasaical attitude has got to go. Just talk straight and do whatever it takes, no matter how taboo, to keep girls from wandering into the misery of self-hatred and unhealth.
Totally agree. I doubt there's many women that size in the US (primary market). And I know not many guys would like girls like that - at some point, it's no longer attractive (the whole point of marketing).
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