by Angel Edwards

Created on: April 23, 2009

The issue of underweight models has been much discussed over the past few years making the topic more widely known about and often, in my opinion, exaggerated. Something that should be noted is that, not all models are underweight. In fact, many are not. Women do not become models and then loose the weight, more often than not, women are naturally that shape and weight making them suitable to be models and scouted. They are women with a good metabolism and who are genetically slimer than other women, just as some women are genetically larger. These women are often self concious that there bodies are too skinny prefering the idea of having larger breasts, just as some women wish they were slimmer. People come in all different shapes and sizes, so underweight for one person may be the natural state of being for another, and so the health of a model should not be purely focussed on her weight

It cannot be ignored that anorexia is a growing problem amongst young women and even men, but this should not be automatically be put down to the model industry. There are many other underlying issues which cause this. Varying as much as being scared of being large to a family break up. It is often a way to people find to control their situation and therefore feel more in control of their life. Modeling has only a small part to play amongst a select few. A far better way of controlling the situation would be a health test. Some one's BMI may be classed as underweight yet they may still be perfectly healthy. Thus, a test for anemia, strength and fitness would be a far better way of judging if someone is fit for the cat walk than scales.

Another thing which should be taken into consideration is that actually before skinny models were fashionable, women who were skinny were often considered to be ugly. Surely the modelling industry has done well in increasing slim women's confidence and making all healthy sizes considered more acceptable.

There will always be models that are an exception to this, but surely all should not be excluded because of one or two who spoil it for all those who are naturally that way. There are many other types of modeling where being that bit larger helps. For example, lingerie modeling and photographic modeling. Therefore it is my opinion, and many others too, that underweight models should not be banned from participating in runway fashion shows. Instead, a healthy lifestyle should be promoted and help for those who do suffer from anorexia should be helped, baring in mind that other issues will be in play with the problem.

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