France to Ban 'Super Skinny' Models?

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Super skinny models are likely to be banned by the France Government in an effort to promote good health in women since models are the stream of inspiration among many young women around the world.

Health Minister Marisol Touraine told BFM TV that it is important for the fashion models to say that they eat well and stay healthy to promote good health in women since they are considered as aesthetic ideals by most young ladies, reported Fox News.

The Government of France has also warned modelling agencies and agents on potential punishments, including fines and imprisonment, in case they use super skinny models for business, said the health minister.

Socialist politician Olivier Veran, a neurologist at the University Hospital of Grenoble, said that models should be asked to produce medical certificate indicating a healthy body mass index (BMI). He added that it is not tolerable to promote malnutrition as well as exploiting people in terms of health for commercial gain, reported the Daily Mail UK.  

Veran also added that optimal body mass standards for the models should be set and the websites that promote weight reduction among young girls should be banned. He noted that some websites instruct young girls that they should be having a 15cm gap between their thighs and some even give them tips on how to survive with little food.

It is reported that laws enforce regular weight check and up to 6 months imprisonment and fines of up to 75,000 euro for any breaches that would be charged on the staff that hire super skinny models, said Veran.

A BMI of at least 18 for models with the weight of 55 kg (121 lb) and a height of 1.75 meters (5.7 feet) is recommended. The models should produce the BMI certificate before they get hired and should be having the recommended BMI even after few weeks of work, according to the Fox news.

"In order to have a BMI of under-18, food has been restricted resulting in nutritional deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, calcium, essential fatty acids, proteins and B vitamins. These women can have thinning hair, dry skin, brittle nails, and cold or swollen hands and feet. Low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms are common, as well as fatigue and depression" said Dr Marilyn Glenville, a leading nutritionist specialising in women's health, noted The Telegraph UK.