Super Skinny Models: What is TOO Thin?

Tasra Dawson —  December 7, 2011 — 15 Comments

Have you ever wondered… What is TOO thin?

The good news is that this question has been getting some top press lately: NY Times, USA Today, Extra. Even favorite shows like Top Model are coming into question about what is “too thin.”

The bad news is that differing opinions and lack of regulation keep this an issue that is hard to resolve. Extensive research has been going on for decades about the affect of too-skinny models on the self esteem of teen girls. In actuality, you probably don’t even need to read the research to have experienced or seen first-hand the self-esteem and confidence issues that magazines, fashion and ads create.

So when is thin too thin? The ad below is not from an anorexia site… it’s an ad for Drop Dead clothing company and was banned by Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority, an advertising watchdog that banned the campaign over complaints that its featured model “appears anorexic.”

The ASA took issue with the size 6 model’s “highly visible” hips, ribs, and collar bone calling the ad “socially irresponsible” and offensive. Marc Jacobs has also had ads banned.
Note: Size 6 in the UK is size 2 in the US (update thanks to Savannah Brentnall).

Super Skinny Models: What is TOO Thin?

We do our best to combat the issues with Teen Identity Portraits and Magazine. We reach out to teen girls to give them experiences that empower them, help to raise their confidence and self esteem and let them know they are so much more than the skin they’re in. As a teen who struggled with suicidal thoughts and an eating disorder for all of my teen years, this issue is close to my heart.

What can YOU do to fight the problem?

What can WE do to fight the problem?

That’s what I’d love to hear from you today!

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Tasra Dawson

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Author, designer, photographer, teacher... just an artistic curious girl learning to live insanely great and sharing what I learn along the way.
  • http://twitter.com/laurieskillern Laurie A. Skillern

    Not only is the model too thin – she looks sick (or high). There’s a lifeless look to her eyes.

    • http://tasramar.com tasra

      Great point Laurie!

  • http://www.savannahbrentnall.com Savannah Brentnall

    Size 6 in the UK is size 2 in the US, which looks possible. If the model is as tall as models usually are, a size 2 would definitely look this anorexic.

    • http://tasramar.com tasra

      Thank you for that clarification! That would definitely make sense. I’ll update the post!

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  • Peter Morris

    It’s not a problem. She looks hot. She’s healthy. In a world of obesity epidemic, the last thing we should worry about is a few skinny people.

    • Wheeler_laura

      She looks anything but healthy. It’s too bad views like peter’s are still out there. Makes it very hard for girls and women to feel good about themselves when we can’t possibly live up (or down) to his skinny standard without engaging in unhealthy behaviours or regimes.

    • Nathan Tandares

      I agree with Peter. She is smoking hot. Why do all you people think the industry is all about thin women? Because they look friggin hot as hell! Plus, there are WAYY MORE fat, overweight, obese people out there which is a much bigger problem than the skinny models you’re all secretly jealous of. I would want to be friends with a skinny person over a fattie any day. Same goes for hiring, playing sports, arts…everything. Fat people are lazy. I’m generalizing, but it’s true.

  • http://twitter.com/nobody416 Olivia Erickson

    I think part of the issue is to remove the pressure to be… anything other than what is healthy and natural for you. I have several friends and girls I know that are naturally skinny and they struggle with people thinking they are anorexic when they’re not. On the other hand, I do have friends who are anorexic and you probably wouldn’t guess it. The key is to have variety in the media and to remove the pressure to be anything but healthy.
     I personally see my part as a multiple layer situation. I’m a teen, photographer, and friend/mentor. There’s a lot to be done by those of us on the bottom – we truly can make more change in this than we’d like to believe

    • http://tasramar.com/ tasra

      I LOVE your take on it Olivia! How are you using your roles as teen and photographer to help make change? What would you say to other photographers who don’t see how it can be done?

    • http://tasramar.com/ tasra

      I LOVE your take on it Olivia! How are you using your roles as teen and photographer to help make change? What would you say to other photographers who don’t see how it can be done?

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  • http://twitter.com/mdvinstitute The MDV Institute

    I agree that this model is part of an industry that seems as if they only take starving models, not models starving to succeed. Yes, teens should know that if they are to take a picture similar to this (why not?) than they ought to know their own bodies are beautiful, they shouldn’t fall to ignorant opinions. Artists long ago painted thicker women. It was a golden time in society, and we have fallen from that. These were mainly European artists, but the point is that you are beautiful as you, you shouldn’t starve yourself or hate yourself, regardless what anyone tells you.

    Modern Day Venus Institute | 2012

  • http://twitter.com/mdvinstitute The MDV Institute

    Just to add, I am also a researcher @tarsa I would love to talk to you more about similar issues :)

  • Reg

    She is beautiful. She is not anorexic, just petite and lean. I know anorexia; truly terrible condition that is in fact linked to genetics if people care to do some research.