Israel's has recently banned "too-skinny" models requiring they must have a BMI of at least 18.5 in order to work. There are very strict rules about using models who fall below the magic number. However, this ruling is unfair. BMI is, after all, not always an indicator of health -- there have been many publications that have proven that. For example, people with very light bones and athletes are more likely to fall out of said number, and still be relatively healthy. In addition, one can meet these minimum requirements, yet still look extremely thin -- muscle, after all, weighs more than fat.

TORONTO - Many men might say they're most attracted to women who are svelte, icons of that so-called feminine ideal portrayed in magazines and other m...

To many readers, the very idea that you can carry excess weight and still be healthy may sound like an oxymoron. After all, is excess body fat not strongly associated with a wide range of health problems from diabetes to sleep apnea and from arthritis to cancer? Yes it is, but not in everyone.