Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should the weight of fashion models be policed?
Position1 of 2›
Yes, the weight of fashion models should be policed
Argument‹2 of 2

Industries can set BMI standards for models

Industries to set BMI standards to keep models physically and psychologically safe. This can prevent eating disorders and other physical illnesses.

The argument

There have been instances of fashion models developing eating disorders, with their BMI falling far below the healthy national standard. There are two famous cases of models passing away due to complications of anorexia nervosa. There have been instances of low BMIs associated with eating disorders, heart failure, memory loss, and osteoporosis. If BMI levels were regulated, it would be less likely that models would develop severe eating disorders and physical abnormalities.

Premises

[P1]Fashion models have developed eating disorders with BMIs far below healthy standards, and there are famous cases of models dying from complications of anorexia nervosa. [P2] Such low BMIs are linked to heart failure, memory loss, and osteoporosis, and regulating BMI levels would make severe eating disorders and physical harm less likely. [C] Therefore, since industries can set BMI standards for models, the weight of fashion models should be policed.

Counter-arguments

Lower BMIs do not automatically indicate an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Lower BMIs can be genetic or due to a fast metabolism. Some people claim that models eat as much as they want, but because they have a higher metabolism they burn through calories faster. This should not disqualify them from being a model since they are technically healthy. According to a study, only about 40% of models have an eating disorder - the rest are simply naturally thin.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Models can have a low BMI because of genetics and still be healthy.