Countries like France, Italy, Israel and Spain are coming down on "too thin" models, with new legislation.
Recently, France became a country that bans excessively thin models from working in the industry. The bill that passed, however, is not in any way "skinny shaming," but rather promoting healthy lifestyles. According to Reuters, the bill states that, "The activity of model is banned for any person whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is lower than levels proposed by health authorities and decreed by the ministers of health and labor."
Any agency that is discovered using a model with a BMI under 18 could face up to six months of jail time and a fine of 75,000 euros ($82,000).
Models will be required to show proper medical certificates stating that they are a healthy weight before being hired for a job and even after being hired.
France took on this legislation in an attempt to curb anorexia. According to Reuters, some 30,000-40,000 people in France suffer from anorexia.
And yet there are people out there who think this legislation is a bad idea. There is the note that there are people out there with eating disorders that may still have a noticeably healthy BMI.
A lot of people aren't realizing that France is only trying to promote healthy lifestyles. Models are the figures that everyday women turn to for "inspiration" and more often than not, stick thin isn't the ideal body type for every woman. And therefore, eating disorders are developed. By passing this legislation, France is simply trying to put an end to that.
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An article on Time.com has a quote from model Lindsay Scott against this legislation saying, "Having a bunch of tall, thin, pretty, potentially healthy teenagers cram cupcakes for two weeks and fill themselves with fat injections until they’re runway-ready might sound like a great idea for a reality show, but really, is forcing some models into a thicker body type that may not be natural for them the best way to solve a health problem?”
What is the best way to solve a health problem?
There is no "best way" and that is what more people need to realize.
I believe that this legislation is a step in the right direction because it promotes healthier lifestyles within models.
Models have a great impact on women's personal body image and how they seem themselves. But admiring women who only drink water and don't eat a few days before a show can have a negative impact on other people's lifestyles.
Promoting healthy models promotes healthy lifestyles across the border. France wants people to strive to be healthy, and that can be seen by passing this legislation. And women should not fill themselves with "fat injections until they're runway-ready" but rather strive to be in shape, and healthy.
Whatever your body type is, embrace it. Love who you are.
If you're naturally skinny, love yourself. If you're curvy, love yourself. It doesn't matter. Strive to be healthy, love your body and take care of it. You shouldn't have to change for any one, and especially not for what you see in the media.
