While obesity is a serious problem in the UAE, the opposite end of the spectrum is equally bad. Some people look at the stick-thin models being held up by the fashion industry as the epitome of beauty and develop eating disorders because they seek to match the emaciated ideal.
Happily, there is a growing international backlash against this trend of unhealthily slim women. Most recently, France’s lower house of parliament approved a measure that would criminalise the use of very thin models. The French initiative is part of a broad-based public health bill. Spain already bars overly thin models from taking part in Madrid fashion shows and Italy demands health certificates.
This is a healthy opportunity for the fashion world. After all, if consumers see stylish clothes on someone who looks like them – and looks good – won’t they be more likely to buy?
