Weighty Matters

sure everyman likes a skinny woman, but what is the diffinition of skinny. To me its a size 4 to 6 and even that us pushing it. These models who are so thin , they look like they are dying. It is horrible to see how woman think they need to compete with these pictures that are on the covers of these magizines. It something for Gods sake.

I think it is just plain stupid for anyone to be influenced by the skinny models and trying to emulate them. Just be one own self. Those who are stupid enough should carry on being stupid,

Well, when Newsweek writes an entire article criticizing the fashion industry for promoting a culture of thin, then ends the article claiming that Cindy Crawford was - ever - "curvy," women just can't win. Good going, Newsweek.

I am 5' 6", 135 lbs, and a size 6, and I feel like a beached whale! My boyfriend gets mad at me and actually wants me to gain weight; he comes from a culture that appreciates curvy women. Apparently I have a sickness, because i still want to lose five pounds.

Some comments here are a bit offensive to say the least. Ladies, I understand that you have trouble expressing your feelings about touchy subjects like this, but please stop blaming men for this image problem. We aren't pressuring you, you're putting unnecessary pressure on yourselves. Most men don't even bother to read fashion magazines, and we could care less about the crap these models are starving themselves to sell. As long as his woman is happy with who she is, us men are good to go. As for the poor models out there, I strongly suggest you relax and sit down to a nice meal. Please don't throw it back up.

While some arguments about being model thin arise, models usually set "standards" and trends. Let's face it, young girls now are looking up to these models and mentors and want to be just like them. Children, teenagers and young adults are investing in reconstructive surgery, including gastric bypasses, breast reduction, breast implants, etc. These are the images they see and want to be. I am a beautiful, voluptuous young lady and I am proud, but I will be lying to you and myself to say I don't think I need to lose some extra pounds and it bothers me to only see rock thin models being advertised. There needs to a a plus size injection into this growing market. Yes, there are voluptuous models, but we are not greatly advertised as the skinny ones. We need to let people know that it is ok with whatever body image and size you have. Yes, there are some overweight and obesity issues, but that is where education comes in, just like skinny people with eating disorders. Not all skinny people are unhealthy, the same for voluptuous women. Many people like many different things and one is only seeing skinny models walking across those extravagant runways. We need some meet in there! Peace out.

I have recently been working on a project whinin school between american life and us in the U.K! I have baised my project on skinny models and how this may effect the lives of young children in the U.K! If anyone would like to comment on this issue it would be very much appreciated! Thank you. Emma

Here's a painfully obvious suggestion: STOP using the term "perfect" or phrases like "quest for perfection" to describe anorexic models. When our TERMINOLOGY changes, perhaps our mistaken notion that emaciation equals "perfection" will follow. Beauty ideals are culturally defined, you know. We don't have to accept this definition of a misguided "ideal."

Here's a painfully obvious suggestion: STOP using the term "perfect" or phrases like "quest for perfection" to describe anorexic models. When our TERMINOLOGY changes, perhaps our mistaken notion that emaciation equals "perfection" will follow. Beauty ideals are culturally defined, you know. We don't have to accept this definition of a misguided "ideal."

What is the conclusion? following this logic let's stop producing expensive cars and building big houses 'cause there is always the poor who will never be able to afford it and feel frustrated?.. get over yourself, people. If you are overweight, start taking care of yourself. Why in the rest of the world people can do that and in the US they cant??.. are you that special??..

This is no big deal. Reality is that mainly everyone wishes they were smaller and the truth is this doesn't have alot to do with how big the models are but that they have a problem with themselves. If you aren't happy with yourself don't go blame models and people like that.

How on earth do we all get back to sanity. Skinny is NOT beautiful and we need to somehow get this through to the fashion designers and the media. The photo touchups shouild be banned. People are real not plastic and we see the medica selling perfection to an already overdemanding ignorant public. It is o.k. to be average - but what is average. How can we all ban together and get this mess overhauled?

"...Today, 42 percent of first- to third-grade girls want to be thinner, while 81 percent of 10-year-olds are afraid of getting fat..."

The reality? Chances are, these kids are (or will be) overweight. While many of them may be aspiring to unreasonable 'thinness' goals, the reality is that they probably do need to be (a little) thinner. Let's face the problem, people -- we are getting fat! Stop eating the crap and start moving your butt! Ignoring the problem and blaming it on the unreasonably-thin models, while we sit on the couch eating Cheetos and playing X-Box, is about as stupid as it gets!

Facts: over 16% of American kids aged 6-11 are overweight -- for adults, it's over 1/3 of the population (source: JAMA; American Heart Assoc.).

I think part of the problem is that the average person has an unreasonable body or beauty goal -- one that is unreachable -- and basically gives up on attaining it. Unfortunately, people in this situation will only go downhill. Set a reasonable, healthy goal and stick to it. Ignore the 'manufactured beauty' of the fashion magazines -- or, at least realize that it's not real.

So, stop whining about people (and researchers) calling you "fat" and do something about it -- instead of blaming TV, the media, the clothing designers, and models!

Manifestations of disease, yes. However, all disease, whether it be microbiological or psychological has an etiology; an inciting entity that is beyond the control of the victim suffering from the disease. You can't oversimplify the issue and be dismissive to the people who suffer from eating disorders and body dysmorphia by saying media images have no effect upon their behaviors because they most certainly do.

I find it ridiculous that, while it is no longer fashionable to blame alcohol for alcoholism, it is still de rigeur to blame photographs of models for eating disorders. At the heart of any disorder, there is a person who feels so awful in themselves, so out of control in their own lives, that they identify one thing (could be alcohol, drugs, a number on a scale - heck, it could be a growing collection of angel figurines) as the magic bullet that will make their lives okay, or at least not so awful for a little while. Try banning all objects of fixation - the people who make use of them will simply find something else just as harmful to replace what was banned. Cutting, anyone? Now *there* is a fixation that won't be blamed on airbrushed photos, I'm sure. For heaven's sake, simply realize and acknowledge that disorders, addictions, and compulsions are manifestations of disease - not a reasoned response to stimuli.

I find it disturbing yet indicative that, while it is no longer fashionable to blame alcohol for alcoholism, it is still de rigeur to blame pictures of thin women for eating disorders. Just as with alcoholism, eating disorders are about a desire for control - the victim feels awful and powerless, and identifies one specific thing (could be alcohol, drugs, a number on a scale - heck, it could be a growing collection of angel figurines) as the magic bullet that will make their life okay, or at least not as awful for a while. Go ahead, try banning all objects of fixation. You'll simply find that people's fixations shift to something else just as harmful. Cutting, anyone? Bet *that* won't be blamed on airbrushed photos. Addictions, eating disorders, compulsions - they're all anxiety disorders, not reasoned responses to stimuli.

The throwaway sentence on curves is completely misleading. Curves are still desirable, just like they always have been. The body image women are after is actually one of emphasized curves- 34 C, 22, 32- than of all-over skinniness. This curvy image is not more common or realistic, so it's misleading to refer to it as hopeful.