Lawmaker May Ban Gaunt Models

As New York City's fashion week prepares to kick off Friday, a city councilwoman will introduce a resolution today pushing to ban gaunt models from the event.

The resolution calls on the sponsors of the event to keep underweight models, or those with a body mass index below 18.5, off the runways, and to adopt health awareness education programs.

"Women are encouraged to mutilate their bodies in the industry," the councilwoman introducing the resolution, Gale Brewer, said.

At fashion week in Madrid last year officials banned models with body mass indexes under 18.

Governing bodies in Milan and Argentina also enforce similar regulations.

The recent eating disorder-related deaths of two South American fashion models have brought health issues to the forefront of the industry.