The skinny on Madrid's fashion week

September 19, 2006

Body mass index is calculated by dividing weight in pounds by height in inches squared, then multiplying that total by 703. It's a lot of math to get to a number like 18, which is the required BMI for models at Madrid's fashion week. A normal BMI for women is between 18.5 and 24.9. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, top Spanish model Esther Canadas and supermodel Kate Moss would be disqualified from the show.