Here we have it again. Yet another articles called “Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway?” talking about models as the biggest evil of them all appeared PLUS Model Magazine and this time I just had to respond.
The mag apparently claims that…
Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less.
Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modelling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.
Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.
50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.
If we continue to ignore and rely on others to decide what we want to see, change will never happen. We have to be vocal and proactive, patient and realistic.
They also add that “not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy”.
As somebody who is equally passionate about nutrition, health, fashion and beauty, I couldn’t ignore it.
I wasn’t sure what would be the best way to comment on the article, so I thought I’d use the above statements and respond to every one of them. Hopefully it won’t be too confusing.
Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less.
Well, first of all, what country was used to obtain this stats? The States, Australia, Japan, Europe?
I vividly remember what women and models looked like 20 years ago and let me remind the younger audience that 20 years ago an average woman was, in fact, slimmer than now while the model standards have hardly changed. In addition to that, it’s important to remember that many models in the 1990s were at least 18 where as now they start at 16. If somebody compares an average woman (who is most likely to be in her 20s if not 30s) to an average model, it’s obvious that the weight difference will be higher.
Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between US size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modelling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.
It is impossible to please everyone, but a woman who is comfortable in her own skin won’t go out there saying that certain images should never be used in magazines because they make her feel inadequate. Why? Because her life keeps her busy and happy. The sky is blue, the grass is green and models come in certain sizes. That’s life.
From a nutritional point of view, if somebody’s diet isn’t balanced or a person carries excess amount of fat, the hormonal and nervous system may not function the way they should, which may lead to depression and many forms of dissatisfaction. Nothing to do with the models. Quod erat demonstrandum.
Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.
First of all, BMI isn’t a reliable marker for establishing whether or not a person is healthy. It is a well-known fact that an athlete will have a higher BMI than a woman in her, say, 70s, simply because the athlete would have more muscles that weigh more, it doesn’t also establish whether or not a person is healthy.
Models are never chosen by weight – weight doesn’t matter as long as the vital stats meet the criteria, so I’m not even sure how somebody managed to measure their BMIs without obtaining the necessary information – or what it done just by looking at those girl?
If somebody does want to do any forms of calculations, they should use waist/hips ratio instead.
Using the term “anorexia” in combination with modelling industry is not a fair play. Anyone can become anorexic. It doesn’t come with the job, but rather caused by emotional imbalances of many kinds.
Yes, some models are very slim and may get into “underweight” category, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are anorexics or unhealthy. More over, being slim may actually decrease risk of developing certain types of disease and increase life expectancy.
On the other hand, according to one of the recent surveys almost 70% of women are, in fact, overweight, which definitely increases their risk of heart disease and diabetes etc. Small percentage of these women do have hormonal imbalances that may cause weight gain, but they are a minority here.
50% of women wear a US size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.
Fair enough, but many companies cannot afford producing large size clothes that require more complicated patterns AND more fabric that would have to be sold for the same price as a smaller size garment. Can’t really blame them for it.
If we continue to ignore and rely on others to decide what we want to see, change will never happen. We have to be vocal and proactive, patient and realistic.
You know what would be the most wonderful and proactive thing here? Tell women that being overweight has nothing to do with being beautiful or not, but most importantly – with her health and health of her children. This is the reality. The world is getting bigger and it’s got nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the models – they maintain what they’ve got while an average woman gains more and more as the years go by.
I’m very well aware that a successful model knows a lot about nutrition and healthy eating and her diet is balanced and clean. She also exercises or walks a lot and takes care of her body and mind. After all, modelling is a job that requires beautiful skin, slim body and ability to work under pressure that can only be achieved through healthy diet and lifestyle. And talking of jobs… Ballerinas are also required to be very slim, just slim as models… Why the society is happy to accept them as a norm, but criticising the models for every bump and lump?
I feel that by writing such an article the PLUS magazine is not actually trying to help women, but rather creating yet another hype and using models as the most obvious subject because they are a minority here. Good marketing move, of course, but do the mag editors really believe they did something to improve self-esteem or life of plus-size women out there? Perhaps, it’s best to stop creating an unnecessary revolution and start writing articles that would actually provide useful information to PLUS mag readers? Say, delicious recipes for a balanced diet, dressing for your body shape, or what those 2 extra inches around the waist really do for one’s health? Just a though, you know…
I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts on the subject, whatever they are. Do you think the article does have a point? Feel free to express your ideas and emotions here.
Photo source: Biba April 2006
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