Skin and Bones — What Are We Teaching Our Kids?
April 24, 2009
I won’t show the picture here because it’s too disturbing for words to me, but Australia’s Miss Universe contestant is raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons.
At 5′11 and 108 pounds — with a BMI of 15 — Stephanie Naumoska has created quite a stir in the world of modeling, which has (in my opinion unsuccessfully) attempted to reverse its reputation of priding itself on skin and bones being “in.”
This is yet another example of that.
I realize we all have different bone structures … and maybe in some warped universe 108 lbs looks good on someone … but NOT someone who is 5′11. Naturally, there is speculation as to if she has an eating disorder and naturally, she denies it. And the “Macedonian heritage” excuse? Puh-leeze. No one 5′11 is naturally 108 pounds, period.
I’ve never brought up the modeling industry here on my blog, but I couldn’t help but mention this story today. What does an image like this send to our children? Is this the kind of role model we want our daughters looking up to?
You know, I have been shredding for a couple days now and I admit, I really admire the tight abs of Jillian, Anita and Natalie on the DVD.
But let’s be real — these women are lean, fit and awesomly-toned … but they have some meat on them, too! They work hard for their figures, and don’t look like they are about to topple over.
I don’t know about you, but it’s scary to me that this is what our children see as “beauty.”
How about you? What do you think when you see a woman like Stephanie modeling? Do you envy her, feel sorry for her, or not care? Did seeing skinny models spur your ED?
Entry Filed under: Body Image/Body Dysmorphia. Tags: miss australia, Stephanie Naumoska.
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1.
Faye | April 24, 2009 at 9:37 am
No comment on the model- but just wanted to ask how shred is going? I bought the DVD a while ago but have yet to try it out! Do you like it?
2.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 10:00 am
It’s going well — I like it a lot and reviewed it earlier this week! (there’s a link embedded in this post)
3.
Kim | April 24, 2009 at 10:18 am
Ha, I just posted about this before I read your post. It irritates me. She’s obviously not healthy. It’s fine if she’s naturally thin. I’m naturally thin. But not THAT thin. I don’t think models or celebrities CAUSE eating disorders; but they definitely trigger feelings of inadequacy and shame, which can lead to eating disordered behaviors. For me, seeing her doesn’t do much, but make me cringe. I feel sorry for her in a way. SHe’s smiling big, but, to me, there’s something going on there. 108 lbs is way too low. Most models at her height are at least 125-135 (and THAT is thin).
4.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 10:24 am
I just saw your post now, Kim — great minds think alike and I am glad to see we had the same viewpoint!!
“I don’t think models or celebrities CAUSE eating disorders; but they definitely trigger feelings of inadequacy and shame, which can lead to eating disordered behaviors.” — I agree!
5.
Holly | April 24, 2009 at 11:31 am
WOW. I don’t know how anyone in this world could look at that picture and NOT think that girl is too thin. I agree with Kim - most supermodels (namely Victoria’s Secret models who are labeled as “curvy” - ha!) are 5′10/5′11″ and 120/125 pounds. And I think that is borderline too thin!
It, too, makes me sad that several young girls are looking at/have looked at that picture and think that’s what they have to look like to be “pretty.” If I were Australian, I’d be embarrassed of the representative of our country.
6.
Emily | April 24, 2009 at 11:40 am
I justs did google search for Macedonian women, and the pictures I got back looked nothing like her. Everyone looks NORMAL, there’s no “extra skinniness” because of the so-called heritage. It’s such a line and cover up.
7.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 11:49 am
Something I read said 155 is about her target weight for her height. CRAZY!
LOL Emily — glad you checked. We called foul!
8.
Brooke | April 24, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I try to avoid even looking at really skinny celebrities because the more I see it the more I am afraid I will consider it normal. And it is not.
9.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I know what you mean, Brooke. You watch these women waste away before your very eyes, and it’s not normal or healthy and sends the absolute wrong message.
10.
Brooke | April 24, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I don’t mean to hijack your blog Lissa, but I wanted to ask something of you and your readers. I am a chewer/spitter and don’t feel comfortable really expressing myself online yet, but was thinking that if other readers wanted to start an email support “group” I would love that.
I need a little extra help right now and think that many we could all benefit from this.
What do you think?
Congratulations on 6 weeks. I am inspired by you and like you mentioned in a previous post, I know I can do it, but I have to be fully committed. Maybe I am not yet, but i hope to be there soon.
11.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm
No problem, Brooke — hope you got my email, too!! I think an email support group could be very helpful to some readers. I can take a poll Monday and see if anyone would be interested in joining you.
Personally, I probably won’t join (in this moment) just because I’m trying hard not to think about it or engage in any way and don’t want to dwell on it, so for me, personally, it’d be a little hard. But I think for those in the thick of it still, who need a place to turn to, it could be a good idea!!
You’re right, you do need to be fully committed, but maybe you an get there through this form of support!!!
You can do it!
12.
healthy ashley | April 24, 2009 at 2:31 pm
That’s so sad. I know it’s sending the wrong message to so many women (and men).
I think a rule of a minimum BMI would be appropriate. Competitors can’t do drugs… and they can’t starve themselves.
13.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 2:34 pm
AWESOME point, Heather Ashley! “Competitors can’t do drugs… and they can’t starve themselves.”
14.
Melissa S. | April 24, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Wow, I too don’t know how anyone can look at the picture of her and not think that she looks sick…she is so thin it makes me worry! I try to avoid looking at pictures like that because unfortunately it does trigger me…but as long as I stay away from them, I’m fine.
I do hope that they do something about that gets taken care of and someone takes some action to prevent it from happening again.
15.
MSJNT | April 24, 2009 at 9:48 pm
It is all about perspective. I have seen skinny people but I don’t jump to ” they have an eating disorder or anorexic”. As a plus size woman, I have seen women who claim that they wear a size 22 when I think they wear a size larger. She looks healthy to me and happy. Why do we as women tear down people who don’t have a problem with their weight. We come in all shapes and sizes. From thin to super heavy. Once again the media had put it in our heads that this girl has a problem. Maybe it is us with the problem.
PS. This is not a hit at anyone. But if she was anorexic, it will show in her hair, teeth, and skin. I see no sign of anything. Just be mindful of the witch hunt to stop women to accept what God has given them. Be thankful for each day of life. Teach our kids that being healthy and fit and that not everyone can be a size 0.
16.
lissa10279 | April 24, 2009 at 11:38 pm
MSJNT, I see your point that women tend to tear other women down, but in this case, I think it’s pretty obvious that this woman doesn’t represent just your average thin model figure — she is skin and bones, literally. And she just glamourizes it.
I respectfully disagree that I (or anyone else) am jumping to conclusions suggesting she has an eating disorder. No one at 5′11 weights 108 by nature alone … And we can’t see her teeth, skin or hair up close. Fuzzy hair might be a clue on some — but a good stylist could probably cover it up…
Absolutely agree not everyone can/should be a size 0 - what is that anyway, one negatively exists?! - but beauty shouldn’t necessarily be portrayed that way, either.
The beauty of life is, we can agree to disagree.
17.
Julie | April 25, 2009 at 6:14 am
Wow…she is definitely underweight no doubt about that. You know how people tear down fat people..”Why can’t they get some control and stop eating?” ….I feel like we are doing the same thing here, but about thin people….”Why can’t she get some control and START eating?” Maybe she does have a disorder and deep down she may or may not know this. I think we should express concern and care for her, just as we would if our own friend looked like that.
18.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Ind&hellip | April 25, 2009 at 6:46 am
thanks for this usefull informations..
now i find what i want to know..
thanks so much..
19.
Susie | April 25, 2009 at 7:17 am
I definitely see a point in viewing this with compassion. I do feel for her as I am certain she has a disorder. I saw other pictures. That is not natural.
I’m going to agree with the idea that this is an issue and our children are affected by it. Just as many of us have a hard time looking at pictures of people like this and not feeling bad about ourselves. Children just learning about who they are and watching their body change would have just as tough a time when there are famous people claiming they eat 6-8 regular meals a day. I would be willing to bet that my idea of regular and hers are quite different.
20.
lissa10279 | April 25, 2009 at 9:38 am
I apologize if I came off insensitive — I realize it’s not easy for someone with anorexia to “just eat’ … I didn’t mean to imply I wasn’t compassionate. What upsets me is she says she eats 6-8 meals a day and doesn’t have an ED … that is what is upsetting. Clearly if she has a problem, she needs help and compassion.
21.
Dori | April 25, 2009 at 10:50 am
I felt nauseated when I first saw that picture of her. I don’t buy that it’s just in her genes. To a certain extent, yes, she is likely naturally thin — but if you eat what your body needs, you don’t look like bones. Simple as that. It is sad that this is what young girls see. And while models didn’t necessarily spur my ED, actresses and other celebrities in general definitely did contribute.
22. Passing Judgment « &hellip | April 27, 2009 at 6:15 am
[...] My post last Friday about the evidently malnourished Australian Miss Universe contestant got me thinking about judgment … specifically, my unconsious (human?) tendency to pass judgment. [...]
23.
Lara (Thinspired) | April 27, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I just read about this on FitDay, I can’t believe it wasn’t ALL OVER the news. The photo is scary. A BMI of 15 is just beyond words. I do support the idea of having a minimum BMI, but some of the suggestions in these articles were that they should be in the 20’s, and I think that is getting a little too specific. Let’s face it and be real, these girls are supposed to be on the thinner side. I think anything that is considered a healthy BMI (minimum 18.5) should be allowed. That is just my opinion, and I hope that doesn’t piss anyone off. On the flip side, I also think women on the higher BMI spectrum should be allowed to compete, too. I think HEALTH should be the main concern, and that has a broad spectrum.
24.
lissa10279 | April 27, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I agree, Dori — no one looks that way naturally! Lara, I guess with models there are different standards and I agree — health should trump all else.