[Gayle]

And to think I slept through all of this.

We've only met once briefly Slinky and at no point did I think 'this woman is unhealthy, you look like the naturally slim person that you are. At no point was I trying to imply that this was unattractive in any way - as you know from my diary early this year I was trying to attain that by dieting.

And to be honest, even if I had thought that you looked unhealthy I would NEVER, EVER have said anything about it.

What both Garinda and I were trying to say - probably cackhandly I admit - was that the models that appear on catwalks in Paris and Milan are NOT naturally slim - they are 5'10" and weigh seven stone - this is not natural, this is the result of starvation dieting. The people of Accrington come in all shapes and sizes - some naturally slim, some curvy, some short, some tall, and no one is excluded - in fact Slinky now that you've made a big point about it I would particularly like you to be involved.

I think this thread wandered into two issues though - the first being about the starved models who are used in the fashion industry and the second about insulting someone based on their weight.

I don't think it is ever acceptable to insult someone about their body. However, I do think it is acceptable to point out that someone who starves themselves because they have a perceived idea of beauty is unhealthy.