Are models setting bad example to our children by being too thin?

Answer 1

Yes, they are telling our children that in order to be cool, and havbe lots of friends you must be thin. When in fact that is so not true. In fact, in many countries now a days, they are starting to fire models if they are too skinny.

Answer 2

I do think that very skinny models e.g. BMI less than 17 can have a role in children having a desire to be thin however, I think that from a young age children should be educated on the functions of various foods. I believe that this should not only be taught at home but in schools as well. I feel that if children know why a food is good for them e.g. carrots contain vitamin A that helps them develop good vision; milk, yoghurts, cheese contain calcium that helps develop strong bones; red meat, green vegetables and pulses such as lentil and chick peas contain iron which helps oxgen get transported around the body; oily fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which helps in brain development and concentration.

I think if children know more about the foods which they are eating they will be encouraged to eat for their own health and realise that being so skinny is unhealthy i.e. higher incidence of osteoporosis, Coronary Heart Disease amenorrea, excess body hair, tiredness etc

However, on the flip side I also think it is wrong for children to look at size 16 or plus size models and aspire to be that because it is 'normal'. It is not normal if the model is overweight for her height (i.e. a BMI over 25) as that predisposes the model to complications in later life such as Type 2 Diabetes, CHD, and Stroke, not to mention increased problems due to arthritis.

Please do not interpret this as me saying we all have to have a BMI between 18.5 - 25 because I know that is not realistic however, I do think our children should try to think of foods as fuels and allow that to determine where their natural 'healthy weight' lies. That may be a little above or a little below the normal BMI range but as long as the infant/child/teenager is eating a wide range of nutritious foods I don't feel it should matter.

I also think that parents should spend more time with their children in the Kitchen cooking and preparing foods so they learn about different fruit, veg etc as they are making foods. I appreciate in today's society some parents are not as able in the kitchen as their parents were and often use ready meals. Is this another issue which should be tackled by the government?

All in all I don't think that it is necessarily the models who are to blame I feel it is how we teach our children to have a relationship
with food.

Sorry, having a bit of a rant because I feel quite strongly about this issue.

Answer 3

No.
You're setting a bad example for your kids by showing them the models. It's the model's job to be thin. Don't blame them for being thin.

Answer 4

The models shape is an issue as some of them look like hey have holidayed at aushwitz but it is more important our children do not go to the extremes they do. Not all models do this and some just eat and exercise very well and look amazing however that is not what is publicised. We all know of kate Moss' issues and posh admitting to having had an eating disorder and that is not what we want our children to aim for.

be healthy and happy.

Answer 5

Yes, they are.
I saw an old episode of The Beverly Hillbillies and everyone has to agree that Ellie May (the Daughter) is gorgeous. In the episode I saw she went swimming and oh my word......she must have been, like a size five or six!
I cannot tell you how nice it was to see a normal human female being portrayed on public television!

These days, when you watch a beach scene on TV the girls are freaks of nature. The modern bathing beauty is grossly unrealistic, and I can't wait until the trends change back to where we were in the Beverly Hillbillies days!

I say horray for Ellie May!
http://www.hissandpop.com/celebrities/d/donnadouglas/photos/008.jpg

Answer 6

Yes, they certainly are. They're convincing children and young people that the only way for them to be attractive, lovable and "good enough" is to be thin. One thing that I think would help is a ban on models smaller than a size 10 or 12. It won't solve the problem overnight but I believe it would be a start.

Answer 7

It's not the models' fault that the current standards of beauty are unhealthy. It's a labor for the parents and society in general to emphasize that a rail thin human is not a healthy human, and sickly looks are not attractive.

Answer 8

I think so, but it does because they are most likely to follow what they have grown up seeing or completely going to the opposite just to be different. I weren't like that though i just am what i am... i love my food without over eating and i dont wear revealing clothes and im 16 at the moment so... i think it will be good if there was larger size modles other than the tiny ones.

Answer 9

We have this stupid society in which people complain that women are forced into anorexia etc by these thin women, and then they go on to say that this nation is in the middle of an obisity epidemic. Anyone see the problem?

Answer 10

No. They can do whatever they want. Parents need to set the example and be role models for their kids.