"Has chic become skinny?"

Earlier this morning, the Tampa Bay Times published an article focusing on the questions, "How thin is too thin? [And] at what point does skinny become unhealthy?" Recently in Madrid, organizers of fashion week decided to ban all underweight models. They based their decision on body mass index (BMI), which compares the height to weight ratio. A BMI of 18.5 is considered underweight. According to the article, “Models with a BMI under 18 were booted from the Madrid show.” Although some experts say, “Media images don't cause eating disorders,” does not mean that young girls are not influenced but underweight models and celebrities, such as Kate Bosworth and Nicole Richie. Many times girls see these celebrities and models, and come up with a distorted image of what they should look like.

There are many health concerns with being underweight. Experts say, “The health effects of being underweight start out minor, such as catching cold more easily and taking longer for cuts to heal. They can get more serious, especially for women: thinning bones and trouble getting or staying pregnant. And they can become deadly: kidney failure, heart disease, and cardiac arrest.” Those underweight may not be taking in enough fat and protein, which, because of the lack of protein, can result in the body taking longer to rebuild muscle and tissues. Being athletic and underweight can put one at risk of developing the “female triad.” The “triad” includes the loss of bone mass as well as the ceasing of menstruation, damage to the heart, liver, or kidneys, and cardiac arrest. Although young girls are becoming more aware of these risks, they continue to want to look like their favorite celebrities and models. The banning of underweight models from the Madrid fashion week could, hopefully, be the beginning of the end of the “crusade of thinness.”

http://tampabaytimes.com/