Manhattan Gets Tagged Skinniest City

Posted Jul 24th 2009 at 9:30AM by Katie Hintz-Zambrano (Subscribe to Katie Hintz-Zambrano's posts)

Filed under: News

Photo: Getty Images.

Not only do the models scampering around Manhattan serve as amazing eye candy, they are also possibly, according to the New York Times, helping skew the city's body-mass index (BMI) statistics.

In a recent study comparing the average Manhattan-dweller's BMI (a function of height and weight) to nationwide and statewide data, the Big Apple came out skinniest in the state, with only 42 percent of residents considered overweight or obese, beating out the countrywide 67 percent, New York State's 60 percent, and New York City's other boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island) at 58-62 percent.

But it all makes sense, say the Manhattanites quizzed by the Times. While some pointed to the unavoidable walking and subway stairs hikes, it was also noted that the city is the "national capital of disparate subcultures of the skinny," including models, rail-thin hipsters, body-conscious gay guys, and socialites.

Barneys Creative Director, Simon Doonan, also drew some fashion-as-motivator conclusions. "Our closets are filled with all these expensive clothes that are like swords of Damocles, because we may not fit into them anymore," he said. While a manager at Intermix confided that the store doesn't usually carry sizes above an 8.

So, what do you think: is New York's skinny culture keeping people healthy or is it an unhealthy obsession?

Tags: intermix, manhattan, models, new york, NewYork, simon doonan, SimonDoonan, skinny city, skinny models, SkinnyCity, SkinnyModels

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Sara 7-27-2009 @ 2:01PM

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gr8bsn 7-27-2009 @ 2:12PM

I think it's hilarious that they never talk about the dangers of being underweight. All of the focus is on being overweight right now, but if you are 30-40 lbs underweight, you are at risk for a completely different set but equally dangerous health risks. . The focus needs to be on being HEALTHY, not weight. This is why the BMI scale is a piece of garbage. You can conform to it perfectly but still eat junk food and be inactive. If you eat junk food and are inactive, then you are in poor health, no matter what the scale may tell you. I know diabetics that are underweight and have cholesterol problems. Being "skinny" by no means gets you off the hook.

zorsincio 7-27-2009 @ 2:15PM

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Diane 7-27-2009 @ 2:17PM

What I want to know is WHAT IS THEIR AVERAGE "BMI" in Manhattan? I'm betting it's LESS than 20..! What do you think? I live here in Oregon, & it is obviously a state of higher BMI, I'm guessing the average to be... 30 & up... Not good!

Special_K 7-27-2009 @ 9:15PM

Hey, Diane...I agree with you 100%.
Not that long ago, 'someone'--LORD knows WHO--conducted a study, and Philadelphia (the city I lived in for the past 8-9 yrs. before relocating back to my hometown) was named "the fattest city in the U.S."!!
As you said in YOUR comment, "NOT GOOD!"
However, neither is the the other extreme and, more importantly, the impact it is having on the 'tweens' & teens of this generation.
I have a five-year-old daughter who, along with most of her peers (who range from about four to ten, approx.) are ALREADY putting WAY too much emphasis on these things. These children should be spending their summer vacations playing @ the local parks, going to the summer fests, swimming & hitting the local amusement/waterpark...not being afraid of what they look like in their bathing suits to the rest of the kids, for God's sake!
I only pray I do the best I possibly can as a parent to steer her straight before that time comes when they break off & begin making decisions of their own--like it or not! And, in the meantime, I hope that things change for the better & that people begin putting more value on what's INSIDE a person & WHO they are, rather than WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE or WEIGH.
"Real" models, not labeled "plus-sized"-but "AVERAGE" or something more appropriate-might be a good start. After all, the "average" American woman IS a size 12, isn't that what's been said?
I'd be curious to know how more people feel & what they think about this subject.

marshall 7-27-2009 @ 2:17PM

I used to work at the Fashion Cafe. My job was to stick 2 of my fingers down the throats of models so they could throw up after their meals. It was a dirty job ,but the tips were good.

oliviaa 7-27-2009 @ 2:19PM

um; who cares? like insteadd of worryinq about other - MORE IMPORTANT issuses - we read articles about skinny people in manhattan.. wow.

jen 7-27-2009 @ 10:11PM

people like you just keep coming and coming...if you didn't want to waste the time reading such frivolous bunk, then why did you click on the link?

Cp 7-27-2009 @ 6:21PM

Well then, why are you reading this article... stupid hypocrite.

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Teresa 7-27-2009 @ 2:23PM

You are right they never talk about health risks of skinny people. And they set standards to low. I am 5"4', according to drs. standards I should weigh 123lbs. Thats way to thin, I was down to 118lbs. And looked anorexic, I had friends ask me if I was Ok. I'm pretty sure at 123 I wouldnt look any different.

marshall 7-27-2009 @ 2:24PM

Read the article carefully ladies unless you want a gay guy(nothing wrong with that) Look for one of us pot bellied men. Just dont expect too many push ups during love making. Doggie style is better any way.

G girl 7-27-2009 @ 3:26PM

To Teresa, 5' 4" and 118 is borderline FAT. I am 5' 4" and weigh 107, and I could stand to lose about 2 pounds. I don't know where you are getting your numbers, but they are wack!!

Annelise 7-27-2009 @ 4:24PM

I don't believe you.

mel 7-27-2009 @ 5:32PM

You claim you have an education but I am wondering if it included any grammar courses.

goldblattc1217 7-27-2009 @ 5:58PM

Actually to find your approx. healthy weight they say to add 10 lbs for every inch you are over 5 ft. There are many other factors as well such as muscle( which weights more than fat) and bone structure. I was told at 5'5 my healthy weight should be between 135- 157. That is a pretty big difference. If you are 107 and thinking you need to lose 2 more lbs I wouldn't be surprised if you start having bone degeneration and stop having a periods. It is not about being skinny it is about being healthy! When are women gonna wake up. I have so many friends that starved themselves in high school and now they are trying to have kids and are not able to.

Deeana 7-27-2009 @ 6:30PM

G girl....you are an idiot.

oliviaa 7-27-2009 @ 8:59PM

are you stupid? 5'4 and weigihng 118 is NOT fat ! woooooooow !!

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