Models discriminated Against? (Down with skinny models?)

Jealousy is Unbecoming

Published on September 15, 2006 By Xythe In Current Events

According a September 15th Today Show, Spain has implemented new rules stating that models in Spain must meat a certain weight criteria. Models must conform to a body mass index (BMI) constraints or cannot perform in a famous Spanish fashion show.

One Modeling Official says, “We don’t want them skinny”.

The arguments for this “ban on skinny models” according to doctors and women’s groups is 1) Health concerns for the models themselves, and 2) concern of setting a bad example for young women looking to get into the modeling business.

So in the end, local government officials pressured organizers to hire fuller figured women. Apparently, 30% of the models do not meat the BMI limits. For instance, the average runway is 5’9” tall and weighs 110 pounds (BMI=18.9). The new rule states that a 5’9 model must weigh 129 pounds (BMI=22.1. The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs in at 142 pounds.

For the record, I am 5’11 1/2” and weigh in at 170 pounds resulting in a BMI of 23.7. Looks like I’m a candidate…LOL!
Check you body mass index by clicking this > Link
Don't be shy. Whats your BMI, and where are you from. I'll post some statistics in an upcoming article.

One agent says, “Fashion is about fantasy, not about roll models. They don’t have any that are anorexic or bulimic. If some women are thin and gazelle like, it’s because they are naturally like that.” Still experts say that it’s time the fashion industry takes responsibility for the pressure young women feel to be super skinny.

Well I don’t know about you all, but I really like the skinny models. It’s about fantasy, and to be quite honest, I fantasize about skinny women. It’s not that I have anything about heftier women; it’s just that they do not meat MY criteria for fantasies, and especially sexual fantasies.

I have never seen nor heard of any model endorse anorexia nor bulimia in order to lose weight. On the contrary however, I have seen many models endorse various weight-loss programs, exercise regimes and lo-cal meal supplements such as Slim Fast. Still, even though it’s against the rules, I am sure a very small percentage of super models have been or are bulimic or anorexic.

This country in particular has a problem with its obese citizens, and this starts with American children. I’m not all that certain that by discriminating models against their size is going to help America with it’s overweight women, young or old. After all, it is a fact that some people are naturally thin, no matter what they eat or how they exercise.

If you want to be hefty, that’s just fine with me. However, if you want to feel more attractive and find yourself being fantasized over a bit more often, then I suggest you look closer at your diet, and head off to the gym a bit more often. Get off trying to penalize those people that are smaller than you; jealousy is unbecoming IMHO.

Comments

Xythe

on Sep 16, 2006

Ok ok...I lied.
I'm 5'11 1/2" @175.
That moves my BMI to 24.5 for this American.

Did anybody pick up on my play on a certain word? I know, a little drole...*shrugs*

meat

on Sep 16, 2006

meet (meat)

And it's "droll" not "drole."

Xythe

on Sep 16, 2006

Thank you. How about drool

Xythe

on Sep 16, 2006

So much for statistics I had hoped to collect

foreverserenity

on Sep 17, 2006

It's not a matter of being skinny, it's being underweight and not being healthy. Try looking into this some more.

I did a blog on this too with a different perspective.

Link

pureintentions

on Oct 05, 2006

I agree, yes the models that use anorexia, and bulimia as a way to stay to be skinny, should be dealt with , for their own good. But for the rest of them. Leave them be. It's not like they dont have plus sized models out there, so why feel discriminated against because of size?

But "skinny, sexy role models" are all over the place in media and entertainment. Not just in modeling. Just look at the array of magazines in your local store, and you will see tons of them. The "pressure" to be skinny, to be sexy is all over the place. Look at Brittney Spears ( before her pregnancys ) , Christina Agulara ( I know its spelled wrong ) , Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and so on...

The press and meida accuses many women actresses these days of "unhealthy methods" to become skinny. But I dont see anyone jumpin all over them to gain weight, so that the regular average woman can feel better about herself.

If you want to be slimer and more attractive, then eat healthier, and excersise. Like any other "problem" that you may have in your life, take action and do something , if you want to fix ( change ) it. And yes, If you are a parent with a child who is overweight, or on the way to being so. Then as a concerned parent, gently coax your child to a healthier lifestyle. ( I say gently, cause weight is a very sensitive topic, and I am not going to try to make it out like it is not ) We all know , the older you get, the harder it is to lose the weight.

And if you are heavier, and it doesnt bother you. Then stay that way. No one is forcing you to change that part of you. And if we are going to talk about obesity, it is not only a problem for women, but many men as well. I wonder if any "heavier" men feel pressure to be slimer in order to be more attractive?? I'm sure that some do, but wouldnt mind hearing from men, what they have to say on that.

When I was in H.S ( 8 yrs ago ) , I was a 5'0, 125 lbs, and cute as a button ( how i most often got described) . I didnt care that at my height most girls weighed 10-15lbs less. For my build, it was perfect for me. I have since then gained weight, and know that in reality, I need to start eating healthier and excersing more , if I want to be once more , appealing on the outside, and not just the inside. I know that looks, are ( or should not ) be all that matters about a person. But if for nothing else, you should respect yourself enough to want to be the healthiest you can be, for yourself, and not for others. I personally have a very handsome man that I would love to look "sexy" for, and that is now my motivation for trying to be a healthier ( and slimmer ) person..

So be what you want to be. No one is forcing you to do else wise. ( Um..late at night here..did that make sense?? ) But don't go pointing fingers at the people that are what you are not, but may want to be. Especially if you are sitting around doing nothing about it.

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