INCREDIBLY INNOCUOUS OR INCREDIBLY INAPPROPRIATE?

While parenting a girl in this country, it is hard not to obsess about the messages being sent to her about body image. I'm sure everyone has heard the feminist rants about Barbie and her impossible-to-attain measurements (one estimate gauged the vital statistics as 36-18-33).

The most recent barrage of media body propaganda has come from the movie The Incredibles. Our Four-Year-Old came home last week after a trip to McDonald's hauling the remains of a Happy Meal. This month's "treasure" features plastic Incredible's characters and game cards. On the cards, you can read about each character including their super-powers as well as their height and weight.

The problem? While Elastigirl is thin, 5'8" and 135 lbs, she is within normal range according to one Body Mass Index Website as well as by Weight Watcher's.

According to the same standards, at 5'4" and 85 lbs, Violet is hideously under-weight. It is incredible that she can even stand up, let alone use any of her superpowers. Her BMI is 14.6 with categories:

Underweight = <18.5; Normal weight = 18.5-24.9; Overweight = 25-29.9; Obesity = BMI > 30

President Bush is a 25.

Is there a problem? One piece of evidence is that it is estimated that 25% of college women experience anorexia.

The Four-Year-Old seems relatively unscathed. I just hope we can counteract all if this media tripe and encourage her to love her body. So, for now, let's go see The Incredibles again. Oh, and - Pass the popcorn please!