A step forward in enforcing a positive image of women's bodies as portrayed in the media.

Recently, Spain's government passed a law banning models from working in the country if they have a BMI of less that 18.5. Many on Canada's modelresource.ca cite frustration over this apparently hasty ban of models.

The fashion industry recoils.
The rest of the world rejoices.

Jem, a Model Resource Canada Forum contributor, further justifies her irritation by saying that BMI is not an accurate measure of the health of a model. "... having a low BMI is not necessarily always an indicator that a person is unhealthy or has an eating disorder... BMI provides no measure of the mental health and nutritional status of an individual", Jem says.

She is correct, I must say. However, the law that Spain passes is nipping the root of the skewed body image bombarded upon it's female (and to a lesser extent male) popular. It is not intended to save ill models from the pangs of malnutrition, but, to set an example. To show that gaunt shapeless models do not possess a positive body image, therefore they are encouraged to adopt a healthy body image to work in the country.

Why? Because we are breaking records, I'm sure. Women are chasing a body shape attainable through poor eating habits and it is fuelled by the fashion industry. With images of young, emaciated figures taking magazine covers and runway shows, how do we ever expect to raise a generation of women with a mentally that accept's their curves? We honestly can't.

Jem suggested implement mental assessments to save the rejected models. A noble suggestion, I'm sure, however, not one that I'm keen to adopt. To put in place an international "Save our Models" campaign is ridiculous. By simply encouraging a healthier body image we all can make steps to eradicate eating disorders.

I am in favour of healthier models, curvier models and limiting the visibility of the poorly fed fashion models. Why? Because it fucks with women's heads.

Jem goes on to state that 23% of young women will be effected by obesity where as only 3% were effected by eating disorders. A HIGHLY optimistic percentage, I must say! Jem, invite me to your bulemia free world of cakes and skinny legs.
I could not find Jem's resources, however, the National Eating Disorder Information Centre provided me with a shocking statistic:

27% of girls 12-18 have severely problematic eating habits. This is based only upon reports.
Out of my friends I can say 50% of us have had severely problematic eating habits.

So let's just face facts.
We need to make change. Sometimes you don't want it to happen, but, it doesn't mean that it shouldn't go ahead.
Don't be afraid to suck it up princess, you don't have to puke it out anymore.
Spain wants to hire you