Amy says:
Tue, 3rd Feb 20092:34 pm 

I'm 18.5 on the BMI scale, which is borderline underweight, and I've been scouted by modeling agencies before. They always told me I needed to lose weight! Needless to say I refused and went to college instead.

A says:
Tue, 3rd Feb 20093:20 pm 

Don't down skinny people!

It's rather hurtful to just tell us to eat a little and try again— it's difficult for some people to gain weight.

Emmie says:
Tue, 3rd Feb 20094:13 pm 

I agree with A. If Spain's rule was implemented here, I would never be able to model (not that I want to, but that's beside the point.) I don't have an eating disorder, I don't even diet. In fact, I eat more junk than my overweight friends, and probably work out less. I just have a seriously fast metabolism, which is a genetic thing, and I don't think that I should be faulted for this or told that I need to just eat a little bit and try again. What happened to accepting all types of bodies as beautiful? Why are skinny girls being demonized?

Samantha says:
Tue, 3rd Feb 20095:06 pm 

Skinny girls aren't being demonized. I'm tired of people who look down on thin-ish girls, too, and that it seems like it's never okay to comment on overweight girls but also free game to hate on thinner ones. BUT, that's not the case here. Even if there's 1 naturally thin model for every 100 models who starve themselves, I think it's worth telling that one girl she can't model, so that younger (and older) girls everywhere can have a better, healthier image of beauty.

Jen says:
Tue, 3rd Feb 20095:11 pm 

Skinny girls aren't being demonized. But, no one could honestly say that all – or even most – of those super-skinny girls on the catwalks are naturally that skinny.

I'm naturally skinny myself, and have been called as an anorexic when that's most certainly not the case. So, I know that naturally thin girls should be just as respected as those of any other body shape.

But, stick-thin shouldn't be considered the peak of perfection when it's unobtainable without serious diet and over-exercise issues for most girls. And considered unhealthy. (After all, many girls who are naturally that skinny are put on weight-gain plans by their doctors.) I agree that designers should focus more on hiring models who portray a more-average girl. It sends the right message and protects the models. I've seen enough girls with eating disorders during my high school years to last me a life time. (And no, I'm not stereotyping any skinny girl as having an eating disorder. A lot of stuff comes out at all-girl school retreats.) As a girl, a friend, and the older sister of two teenagers who are enviously beautiful but certainly not Hollywood-thin (thus gaining them criticisms of their bodies over the years), I want that right message to get across. The media's an incredibly powerful influence, and they could help in that endeavor.

Ashley says:
Tue, 3rd Feb 200910:18 pm 

The fact of the matter is that clothes look better on skinny models. There is a reason why the body type and specific measurements for models are used by designers who want to showcase their clothes looking their best.

I think the main problem is the enormous amount of women and young girls who are overweight or even obese. The prevalence of fat women and young girls is a bigger problem than those select models who may be too skinny. The public's perception of what is actually a normal weight for women, if anything, is skewed towards being unhealthy on the overweight or obese side, exactly because of the fact that there are so many fat women.

hanabira says:
Wed, 4th Feb 200912:22 am 

Just to use the words "stick thin" I think is very insulting and immediately raises the issue of prejudice. I'm a slight girl myself and although I get compliments for it, at the same time I get so annoyed at people asking about what I eat and how I stay like this- I dont do anything but at the same time I dont see why that should be anybodys business. You can just see the looks of disappointment in people's faces when you pig out in front of them as they almost want you to have an eating issue to explain why you get to be slim.

And as A pointed out: telling people to just eat a bit more is quite hurtful. I could clear up an all you can eat buffet and still my weight doesnt gain. This is how I am and it annoys me that therefore people can go around assuming I have some food problem because they dont want to accept that just as they are the shape that they are through God, so am I.

And if we were trying to get models to look more "normal" to make people feel better about themselves how about some short models too? not that this matters but a model will never look like the average person on the street even if they are a little heavier, so its not like their looks are attainable by most girls even if they are heavier…

K says:
Wed, 4th Feb 20096:12 am 

The author's point, and Spain's goal when they implemented that rule, is not to upset girls who are naturally thin. Stop acting like you are being personally attacked when that is so clearly not the case. I'm sorry people harass you about what you eat or how you stay so thin, but it could be a lot worse. Please don't try that whole 'why can't we pick on the fat people' line because they get it much worse than thin girls. Everyone knows obesity is a problem in this country but the abuse that overweight kids get from classmates, etc is far worse than anything you will ever know. There have been studies that show that over half of 8 year old girls have tried to diet. THEY'RE FREAKIN EIGHT YEARS OLD. That is not okay.

Samantha said it best when she used 'thin ish'. Naturally slender isn't the problem–not eating, exercising constantly and making little girls hate themselves is. The point is that the vast majority of models go to extreme lengths to get the bodies they have, and are thus bad role models for little girls. And Ashley, the clothes "look better on skinny models" because that is how they are designed. It would be just as easy to make clothes that look good on an average or at least closer-to-average sized body.

- A former fat kid

hanabira says:
Wed, 4th Feb 20096:36 am 

I don't think anyone has tried the "why can't we pick on fat people" line and why anyone would want to I haven't a clue, I wouldn't take for granted the upset that someone of any size may go through because of their weight. People can be harsh whatever your size, and the hurt that comes is not ever measurable to anyone but the person who feels it.

I think its so sad that size even has this weight as a topic for it to be so important to us. To comment on ANYBODY, whether it be because they are big or small, just seems crass to me, yet in the media these seem to be many of the main stories. Magazines are always running articles pointing out ribs or bulges in ways that can only be seen as bitchy- yet many women still read these and enjoy them because for some strange reason the ridicule of another makes them feel better…

Jacks says:
Wed, 4th Feb 20093:37 pm 

Why can't we go back to the Cindy Crawford-esque models of the early 90's-women who were thin but fit, with some curves and some muscle tone. Miss America-esque type bodies, which look just as good, if not better, than the stick thin ones.

Most people aren't ectomorphs, and so most women aren't going to achieve the waifish body of a runway model naturally, or with an healthy efforts.

However, with proper diet and exercise, a lot of women could attain a fit body that has a pleasing mix of fat and muscle.

Emmie says:
Thu, 5th Feb 200910:52 am 

But again, Jacks, you're saying that one body type (that with a mixture of fat and muscle, Cindy Crawford, etc.) is better than others. Why can't we just accept that people come in all shapes and sizes, and let them be? Instead of setting arbitrary BMIs as far as what is considered safe for the runway, why not have doctor's evaluations? That way we're not forcing everybody to conform to one body type just because it's closer to average, but we're not condoning unhealthy diet/exercise, either. Because like I said previously, I'm damn skinny. But my doctor says that despite a BMI that most people would automatically classify as unhealthy, my iron, protein, blood pressure, etc. are all great, and I'm perfectly healthy (except she wants me to stop drinking whole milk.) Health should be the first concern here, not trading in one body image for another.

kiki88 says:
Thu, 5th Feb 20091:57 pm 

I agree with A and a few other people.It's just as hurtful to have people comment on someone being too skinny as it is to comment on someone being overweight. I'm 5ft 4in and 112 Lbs and I've been trying to gain weight since forever, with no success. I agree, that sickly, unnatural thinness is nothing to be admired, but some people are just thin and will always be that way.

Jacks says:
Thu, 5th Feb 20092:13 pm 

Emmie, I am not saying that one body type is better than others. What I am saying is that that type of body is a much more achievable and healthy goal for women to strive for.

Point being; If someone is unhealthily overweight, they might be able to achieve that kind of body. However, unless you are as naturally slender as your typical runway model, that type of body is not achievable by any healthy method.

That's why I think the Crawford-type body is a better one to put out there, if you are going to use a type-it's a goal that more people can reach. Young girls need to understand that the runway body type isn't one that can be worked towards in any healthy way.

Katie says:
Tue, 10th Feb 200911:52 am 

It's not about the fact that there are skinny models. I think skinny models, even ridiculously (naturally) skinny models would be perfectly fine, AS LONG AS curvier women were also represented.

HOWEVER, the problem with all these skinny models, and the reason people are hating is because it seems that that's all that accepted. The modeling world should be more diverse in terms of weight and body shapes.

Why can't there be short models??

William says:
Tue, 3rd Mar 20094:57 am 

We need to realize that being thin is a health hazzard and we also need to educate our teenagers,especially the young ladies,that being thin is not heathy for them.Some of,if not most of these girls will fight you and say that is the cool thing but in reality it is not,to many young people,especially the elite or the famous will virtually strave themselves to get a part in a movie,others have a naturally high matabolizism,

that they do stay thin,they can eat everything in the fridge not not gain a pound,and then you have those few people who if they look at food wrong they think that they have gain 10-20 lbs,

most of this is in their heads,if we watch what we eat and eat healthy,and amoderate amount of exercise,we can be a healther planet,"what do you all think?"

mudassarali143 says:
Wed, 14th Oct 20097:41 am 

wow

i never seen before too thin babes

amazing

great post…

May says:
Fri, 22nd Jan 20108:10 am 

Okay.

Just so you know, a few people are naturally very thin. It hurts thin people just as much when we hear the "God, she's anorexic" speech as when fat people hear the "Oh, if only you were thin." speech. I'm 5' 8", and 33-25.5-34. I hear it all the time, but have no E.D.

We all need to learn to live with our bodies and each other.

Val says:
Sun, 7th Feb 20103:27 pm 

The reason these regulations should be supported is because without them, the average women will never be properly represented. No social advocacy for average sized women will ever succeed in its goal. Spain and Italy should definitely be supported. There is no doubt in my mind that naturally skinny people are more accepted in society. For instance, I would say that fat people have a much more difficult time finding boyfriends or girlfriends because of their weight. I am of a normal weight but as I live in New York I might as well be considered overweight. If you argue that naturally skinny people have just as hard a time of being accepted that is simply ignorant.

Annaliese says:
Tue, 2nd Mar 20105:40 pm 

Good comments here! I think we can all agree that criticizing people for their weight, big or small, isn't helpful. Its hurtful.

We can also all agree: lets encourage each other to be healthy.

Ladies, we especially need to uplift each other in the body image department.

b says:
Sat, 13th Mar 20109:20 am 

OK , this makes me really MAD !!!! i'm naturally thin , for some people "too thin" and i m a model , and i know many models who are my size ( 0/00 ) and do not have E.D. , we just r the way we r. but for some reason people have to assume that to be this size i must starve my self . why do u think that the comments about being "too skinny " are not hurtful , and don't make us – natural skinny girls, have body issues as well . its not cool to comment about any body's size or shape ,and most, wont say that stuff to a curvy girl in her face , but to me its fine ???!!!

and to Samantha- i say that – for every 100 models who r naturally thin there might be one who starves her self and not the other way around like u would LOVE to assume – so stop trying to take our jobs away from us , just because there are some silly 16 year olds out there who don't take care of their bodies and give us all ( models ) bad names . I've been in the industry for over 8 years so i know.

so just stop the hate , people come in all sizes and shapes . skinny is beautiful too !!!!!!!!

Gabrielle says:
Mon, 26th Apr 20104:41 pm 

Being a model, I can honestly say that some of these girls need help… and they're quite detrimental to the industry. the Moschino girls this year made the dresses look just plain awful, and I have actually heard a buyer at my show saying something along the lines of "the dresses were good, but for some reason it doesn't look good on the model, so I won't be stocking them" in reference to that show. what's the point of doing runway shows then?

And no, a lot of models actually do starve themselves without realizing. The nutritional intake of an average model in NY just plain stinks, with a lot of awful balances. If you take a look at the day of a model in NY magazine and tally up the nutrition she takes, you'd find she takes in an awful lot of carbs and not much in the veggies department. That's hardly healthy. She ate two red velvet cupcakes and therefore is she eating healthy? No.

I agree that some just have naturally small body parts, but having larger knees than the thighs is not normal.

The simple reason why there are no more Lindas and Naomis dominating the industry is because that kind of a body is VERY hard to come by. It is much easier to turn yourself into a skeleton than into Linda Evangelista, and much cheaper. I can say for certain, though, that I'd rather have Gisele's body than Kate Moss. But just how many of us can have that kind of curves?!

mmm says:
Fri, 24th Dec 20107:55 am 

if that makes you too thin I'm emaciated at 5'7 33-24.5-34

though I find it common in some 'naturally thin' girls is that they don't pay attention to what type of food they eat or how much they need and tend to eat lots of crap like mr.noodle and pizza all the time. an example would be my brother who eats mc.d's everyday and is pretty thin, but he only eats when people give him food or he's out because he is a lazy fuck.

also for the model in question, she was bigger when she was on that mtv show so I doubt she's really healthy

aera says:
Mon, 27th Dec 201012:54 am 

I'm going to go in a complete opposite direction here, a lot of people are commenting on how it is just as bad to critisize the naturaly skinny as much as the over weight (which I agree with) BUT one thing that I notice everyone is agreeing on, that I do not, is that models should portray the "average" woman.

What I mean by this, and I am taking a very North American viewpoint, is that the Average person isn't that healthy anymore. I don't think obesity is any more healthy or attractive than anorexia. Both are serious disorders. Models should portray a rolemodel. Someone with toned muscle and defined curvature, who is obviously active, and is eating right. This, along with very open conversation on behalf of the fashion industry about the diet and exercise regimes of their models could have very positive effects, especialy for young girls. If girls were seeing women in the media who are portrayed as health conscious and hard working, their more likely to mimic that, which is could create a much healthier "average woman" in society.

Ale says:
Sat, 16th Jun 20123:06 pm 

So if they bann all the skiny models and theirs only going to be plus size models than all the girls are going to look up to them and try to gain more weight which makes it more unhealthy doesn’t it?

idiot. says:
Sat, 10th Nov 201212:06 pm 

Not just plus size models…average sized models.

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Sarah says:
Fri, 22nd Feb 201310:55 am 

I don't want people to get eating disorders, but I don't think that the model up there is too skinny. People in the US are just getting bigger & bigger. My BMI is healthy, but people always tell me that I'm so skinny, which is very troubling to me. People with a healthy BMI aren't skinny, & people shouldn't think so. Weight expectations are very low nowadays irl (maybe not on the web where people bash others over nothing) with the country's obesity epidemic. The job of the model is to present the clothes & not portray the average woman, & that's what everyday people with body issues need to understand. It's like how kids are watching a lot of this effed up television & thinking that's how life really is like. Seriously, there are now elementary school kids with girlfriends/boyfriends! We have to stay in the real world & not obsess over what famous people or models do.

& we don't even know what her BMI is. What if she's just really toned?