British models banned from Madrid catwalks: report

MADRID (AFP) — Three British models have been banned from taking part in Madrid fashion week because organisers said they were underweight, Spanish media reported Sunday.

All 70 models taking part in the five-day event which gets under way Monday were weighed and the three were found to have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18, the online edition of daily El Pais reported.

In 2006, Madrid's regional government -- which sponsors the show -- introduced bans for models with a BMI of less than 18 from taking part.

The move followed complaints that girls and young women were developing eating disorders by trying to copy the models' rail-thin looks.

The ban on overly thin models, the first in the world at a top-level fashion show, caused outrage among modeling agencies when it was first imposed.

Five models were stopped from taking part the first year that the ban was put in place and another five were banned last year.

The United Nations' World Health Organisation defines a BMI below 18.5 as "underweight" and recommend an index of between 18.5 and about 25.

The BMI is an index calculation based on height and weight.

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ms
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Genius!

Thank you.

mosheshmeal
.

Why is it genius? Do you really think it will stem the tide of girls who have eating disorders?

Eyewitnesses report later seeing these models gulping down triple deluxe juicy big macs in a local Madridian McDonalds.

Now that's sexy.

I think it will make a difference to the five girls who got kicked out. And publicizing it will make a difference to all the other girls who want to be part of it in the future. And hopefully other fashion shows will pick up on this too. And I think that change has to start somewhere, so why not start with the fashion shows.

Yes.

mosheshmeal
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OK, we get it MS.
You like "Zaftig Chicks", now please move on...

Weight should not go according to height alone. If someone would look at my height and weight only, you would think I have an eating disorder but because I am built small I weigh less. Someone who is bigger built and shares the same height and weight as I do, than that might suggest an eating disorder.

BMI takes that into account...
Besides I'm sure the cutoff they are using is WELL outside the norm for any build...

If one isn't emaciated or model-skinny, they're now "zaftig"? No wonder so many girls have eating disorders...



They said the cut off was below 18, with a BMI of 18.5 being classified as "underweight". These girls were probably not gaunt, but may have been ribby and probably LOOKED underweight when appraising their ribs, collarbones, shoulders, or hip bones (which tend to stick out at sharper and sharper angles as women drop below recommended weights).

לאו דוקא

mosheshmeal
.

About time someone sent a different message.

Hear hear.

mosheshmeal
.

The question is who really likes these emaciated chicks?? Certainly not most men. I mean no one likes fat chicks, but Miss Somalia is not much better....

Well if all "chicks" move up 6 dress sizes after getting married going from 0 - 6 is better than going from 6 - 12.

Ditto for the men who go up 6 inches in the waist once they get married.

Well it's not their fault. Most haven't had a decent meal in years