It is a case of the media not being sensitive to, or taking responsibility for the impact they have on their viewers, especially young impressionable girls.

This time it is the case of a teenage model, who is appearing on Australia’s Top Model, being bullied by the judges for being too fat. Yet this young lady only weighs 57kg and is a size 8.

To be subjected to this sort of criticism on a TV program put out by Foxtel has been devastating and harmful to both her self esteem and confidence. She has been ‘stunned’ by the comments.

The model in question, Alissandra Moone, said “It’s a very bad message to be sending to young girls who watch the show.

“It’s harsh. It’s stupid. And it’s out of touch. I understand it’s a reality of the (modelling) industry but this is a TV show and they should have a responsibility to censor that kind of thing. I’m only a size eight. There’s going to be a lot of young girls watching this who are bigger than me, and how’s this going to make them feel?”

Judge Alex Perry, who is a known repeat offender on this subject, compared Miss Moone’s body to “overstuffed luggage”.

The Minister for Youth Peter Garrett told News.com.au “Comments like these send the wrong message to young people who watch the program and I find them very concerning – what planet is he on?”

He continued “Promoting positive body image has been one of my priorities as Youth Minister. In July we sent every school in the country a poster and information pack as part of our ‘Respect Every Body’ campaign, and we’ve also given funding to the Butterfly Foundation for its ‘Free to BE’ body esteem resources. Everyone has an ideal weight for their body and that’s what we should all aspire to.”

Melinda Hutchings, Eating Disorders Expert and Generation Next speaker has also said that promoting a positive body image for young women is essential to helping them feel happy and confident with who they are. Melinda also actively supports The Butterfly Foundation.

A spokeswoman for The Butterfly Foundation, which is aimed at educating and supporting people with eating disorders, said: “The (fashion) industry has a responsibility for portraying women of all healthy sizes and in playing a strong educated role in the contribution they make to the serious issue of negative body image.”

There is hope in the fashion world though, with the Melbourne Spring Fashion week organisers’ consciously deciding to only see models with a healthy BMI this year.

In deed the face of this year’s festival, Sophie van den Akker is herself a size 8 and she said “As a role model, I think an eight to 10 is more realistic. I think people are more attracted to that than seeing skin and bone.”

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Daily Telegraph