More About Skinny Models

Posted by Lori Henry Sep 17, 2006

The fear of underweight girls bodies being strutted down the runway as the ideal figure scared the city enough into putting a ban on body type: models who are 5 feet 9 inches tall must weigh at least 123 pounds.

But is this a big step in helping to combat the negative self-image that such shows can give people, or is it discriminating against women who are very thin? And who makes the rules for the what is too thin?

"Fashion is a mirror and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk," said regional official Concha Guerra. She says that Spain is concentrating their efforts on having models portraying a healthier body image and on putting out good work.

A similar view is taken in Italy, where mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, said that she would seek a similar ban unless the industry could find a solution to "sick" looking models.

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