As the whole fashion industry struggles to cope with the superskinny model controversy (especially in the Unites States!), FashionGates.com continues its series on the subject (the links below) by the following review. Speaking more precisely, it's not just about the `weight vs health` problem...

Some gossipy media outlets branded supermodel-turned-television host Tyra Banks as fat (!). Well, she is 5 feet 10 inches and about 160 pounds. But that Katie Leslie in her article in fredericknewspost.com raises the objection that it equates to a body mass index of about 23, within the healthy weight range, reminding that a healthy range is anywhere from 18.5 to 24.9. With her reality show “America's Next Top Model,” Banks has gone on the offensive, addressing the differences between model thin and the “real woman” shape. She is becoming a new sort of model, in a sense, a beacon of light to young girls in search of a healthy body image.

Banks` message to American women was to not embrace their bodies. However, reservations exist when people applaud her multi-million dollar figure as representing the real American woman. Though her figure is noticeably fuller than in her modeling career, she still sports a flat stomach and enviable, well-defined curves. Meanwhile, the average American woman is 163 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches, according to a December 2006 article in USA Today.

It is completely ridiculous to assert that Banks has a weight problem, but what effect it has on young women to see a so-called `real woman` whose natural shape is still jaw-dropping, if a few pounds heavier? Banks might be 160 pounds, but it’s not from a tire hanging around her belly. At least the beauty has a bit of cellulite to make us mortals feel less squishy, notes Katie Leslie in fredericknewspost.com. Perhaps we can find a more noble, tempered approach to embracing our figures -- by focusing on disease prevention instead of size 16 prevention. By focusing on moderation and not excessive exercise or starvation. And perhaps one day, the cover of Vogue won’t show a picture of the skinniest model, but a picture of health.

Read also the FashionGates.com articles on the subject (titles with links) below:

L'Equipe's Brazilian model dies of anorexia »
http://www.fashiongates.com/magazine/Equipe-Brazilian-model-agency-anorexia.html

Code to fashion models: no to anorexia and models under 16 »
http://www.fashiongates.com/magazine/Code-fashion-models-anorexia.html

US Dairy Farmers Drop the Olsen Twins »
http://www.fashiongates.com/magazine/olsen.html
 
Modelling Leads to Tragic Statistics in Israel »
http://www.fashiongates.com/magazine/Modeling-and-Anorexia-in-Israel-14-01-2005.html
 
New York Fashion Week: will super-skinny models' domination end? »
http://www.fashiongates.com/magazine/New-York-Fashion-week-models.html
 
12-sized Jodie Kidd Flies High and Costly » 
 http://www.fashiongates.com/magazine/jodiekidd_27_09_04.html