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Fat Free Models Turned Down in Spain

Madrid`s regional government, which this week sponsored a top level fashion show, has imposed restrictions on underweight models. The city`s fashion week turned away so called `underweight` models following growing protests that young women around the globe attempt to imitate these looks and in some cases develop eating disorders.

The modeling agencies are outraged, opposing the government`s use of them as `scapegoats`. The main claim coming from their end is that although it might be justified to set a tone of healthy beautiful women, to accuse the fashion industry of causing illnesses like anorexia and bulimia, is simply ridiculous.

The Madrid show is using the body mass index, based on weight and height, to measure models. The organizers have turned away 30 percent of women who took part in the previous event. Under the Madrid ruling, models must have a BMI rating of around 18. That would disqualify top Spanish model Esther Canadas, and supermodels like Kate Moss, based on unofficial records of their height and weight.