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September 21, 2006 1:15 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: The Skinny on Models

Posted by Greg Kandra
If you think the plight of too-thin models isn't a weighty issue, think again.

Katie looks at the example they may be setting for our daughters -- and why the ban on thin models in Madrid may be healthy. Just click on the monitor to watch.
Tags:
Modeling ,
Madrid
Topics:
Katie's Notebook

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by just4ginaf September 22, 2006 5:34 PM EDT
FYI, besh0011, are you my daughter's physician? She had her "back to school" exam and her physician found nothing unusual about her size. She has always been a petite girl and our focus is her continued growth and development. As long as she continues to grow at HER OWN RATE there is nothing to worry about. She is at the age now where the doctor asks me to leave the room to discuss goings on with her privately and she had no concerns. This is exactly what I'm saying is happening about everyone being put in the same category. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND WHAT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR MOST DOES NOT INCLUDE EVERYONE!
I do agree that eating disorders are a BIG problem but let's educate at home so when our young people see magazines they know the truth about what they see.
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by rooniii September 22, 2006 2:13 PM EDT
I'm not saying that Katie did have anyting to do with changing the photo. But it would seem that whoever did make that call is feeding into the same sort of mentality that's being discussed here. It's ironic, dontcha think?
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by jcorbin1958 September 22, 2006 1:45 PM EDT
There is skinny, and then there is skin and bones...I wouldn't consider that healthy.
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by stringhc September 22, 2006 11:04 AM EDT
According to some scientific studies, to be as emaciated as some of the models would extend your life undeterminately. So, can skinny be all that bad?
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by jcorbin1958 September 22, 2006 10:26 AM EDT
Why bring that up about Katie's photo shoot, showing her thinner? She had nothing to do with that! Katie is beautiful just the way she is!!!
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by oxyopia_ September 21, 2006 11:51 PM EDT
RoonIII , why should anybody bring that up when Katie had nothing to do with it? If somebody photo shopped you in a negative way, without your knowledge or consent, why would we bring that up; it would be kind of rude, wouldn't it? Not to mention the obvious fact that it is Katies genius deserves public recognition. It goes without saying that Katie doesn't need photoshopping, because she has the perfect looks and is, always has been, and always will be the most beautiful woman in the world.
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by besh0011 September 21, 2006 10:13 PM EDT
Well done Katie. Models are often dangerously thin, and this is not healthy. Underweightness and obesity share many similar health risks. So why is it appropriate for advertisers to promote (through the use of underweighted models) this harmful lifestyle?

As for people who are naturally thin,a conserted effort to gain weight is necessary. Just as it is important for people who are naturally overweight to make a conserted effort to lose weight.

Ultimately HEALTH and BALANCE are ideals that should be promoted via advertising. Unfortuneatly neither of those things are 'modeled' frequently enough.
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by just4ginaf September 21, 2006 8:48 PM EDT
I applaud what they are doing in Madrid in making sure the models are a "healthy" weight. What concerns me is what about those girls who are naturally thin?
I have two daughters who are totally opposite physically. My oldest 13 1/2 is 5ft tall, weighs 71lbs and wears either a girls 14slim or a jrs 00. She is physically active, taking P.E. in high school and has an appetite that blows people away. She is asked constantly "don't you eat?" She has annual physicals and is in great health. She has always been petite and her dr. said she will always be that way. Her little sister is 11 weighs 90lbs, is 4ft 11in tall and wears a girls size 14 or jrs 1. She doesn't have a lot of physical activity in her daily routine but isn't a couch potato either. She eats her veges and overall has a good appetite. She is what might be called "normal". There are times when neither of them "feels" normal
What is normal? Who decides? I tell both girls the way God made them is perfect and pictures are airbrushed. We need to teach our young people to eat right, exercise and to love themselves no matter what. I may never be a size 8 but I love myself and that is what my daughters see. I take the stairs, I park far away from the entrance, I don't eat too late but most of all I accept and love myself. I don't dwell on trying to change to look like someone else. I do try to make changes (eat right, exercise) so that I can be a better me. Isn't that what every person should strive for?
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by the4arms September 21, 2006 6:55 PM EDT
Couldn't agree with you more Katie!
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by rooniii September 21, 2006 6:12 PM EDT
Um, is anyone going to bring up the photoshopped picture of Katie that made headlines a few weeks back?
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by jcorbin1958 September 21, 2006 5:40 PM EDT
Thin is being pushed down our throats. If we aren't a size 0 we are considered fat! I believe models do set an example for young girls, and they grow up to believe we are suppose to be pencil thin, which is very unrealistic.I had much rather see someone a size 12, than a size 0 anyday.
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by wellthom September 21, 2006 5:20 PM EDT
I think being "Thin" in our society is terrible, I am not recommending overweight either. I think that the young girls/boys of today need role models. They look at the supermodels and see all the money and fame they have by being ultrathin....not a good role model for adolescents or young adults.

Why can't we show models with the sizes of today...I am an 8 and not overweight, normal sized for my height and weight...and I can't wear a 0 as they wear on the runway models....it doesn't represent people of today....

Jean De Mange
wellthom@earthlink.net
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