Miss Universe contestant is called ‘skin and bones’
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Australia’s Miss Universe contest was thrown into controversy today with doctors and dietitians complaining that a leading finalist was “skin and bones” and dangerously malnourished.
Sydney model Stephanie Naumoska, 19, was one of 32 contestants among more than 7,000 hopefuls to make the glittering final at an event promoting “healthy, proportioned bodies.”
Health professionals said Naumoska, who is 5 feet 11 and weighs 108 pounds, had a body mass index of just 15.1, well under the official benchmark for malnutrition, 18.
Australian Medical Assn. President Rosanna Capolingua, whose organization represents doctors, said the contest should impose a minimum body mass index of 20.
“The most unhealthy part about it, though, is the image it is showing other young women who may view this as normal, when clearly it is not,” Capolingua said.
Contest winner Rachael Finch will compete in the Miss Universe world finals in the Bahamas in August.
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