The government shouldn't be in the business of body weight

France's lower house of parliament has passed a bill banning fashion models from working if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is under 18. On April 14, it will go through the upper house of parliament.  The motivation behind the law is benevolent; they’re trying to represent more normal body types and prevent eating disorders in models and the young girls who look up to them.  

And don’t we all want to see more normal body types? Why not. Don’t we want those with anorexia to be healed?  Don’t we want girls to stop starving themselves? We do.  But the trouble is, a law requiring a woman to step on a scale before she can work is disastrous.  If it's not right for fatter people, it's not right for the thinner ones.

And France means business too.  If the fashion industry violates the conditions, they’ll face fines of up to €75,000 (101, 000 CAD).  If, for example, a model with a BMI of 17 should strut the catwalk, designers could face a six-month prison sentence. (Imagine hardend prisoners asking what you did?)

I'm sorry for people with eating disorders, and I’m always on board with programs that help those who are struggling.  But this isn't beneficial. It will only discard thin models, not help them.  They’ll flunk their body weight test and then what? Will they be told to eat a little more?  If only anorexia could be solved so easily. Just eat more fries, will ya?

This law is most unfair to those who are naturally thin.  The accuracy of the BMI has been contested repeatedly and proven inaccurate.  For the naturally skinny models without an eating disorder, these measures are patent discrimination. 

Wouldn’t we be fuming if advertisers were banning heavy women from a runway or magazine cover?  Wouldn’t it be outrageous to ban sites that celebrate the fuller figure, no matter how “full”? People should have the freedom to eat what they want and weigh whatever they weigh.  

The complications of anorexia include a slow heart rate, reduced bone density, fatigue, and hair loss.  There’s no question it’s a serious disorder.  But let’s look at the health consequences of obesity too: Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Isn’t it likely, then, that someone might suggest banning models on the other end of the BMI spectrum?  The body positive movement would lose it. 

 

Lane Bryant models

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a hit—and mostly savvy business strategy—that has been successful because their models are diverse and consumers are buying what they're selling.   

Cover Girl has often chosen celebrities of varied ethnicities, ages, and sizes.  

Consumers are powerful and we can make a difference without the government getting involved.  If models on TV ads appear too thin, stop buying the product.  If a magazine has models that appear unhealthy, or if they have celebrities photoshopped beyond recognition, don’t buy it.

Or buy it. 

Freedom is so simple.