Stick Models Not Only Anorexic
New Study Points to Hidden Eating Disorders on the Rise
Size zero is fuelling the debate again, as research says that more skinny models are suffering from bulimia
“Stick models” have been in the spotlight for their skinny limbs and the charge that they cause anorexia. A new study by the Model Health Inquiry, though, reports that one in four models are struggling with hidden eating disorders.
Surprisingly, anorexia is just the beginning, with bulimia and other unspecified disorders being more widespread.
Says Dr Adrienne Key, a psychiatrist who was involved in the report, "Girls with anorexia are most prominent but there is a much bigger group with bulimia and other unspecified disorders and the problem appears to be getting worse.
"They are purging or drinking huge amounts of water to conceal their weight. It is highly dangerous because it deprives the body of potassium. Women can drop dead" (The Independent, 2007).
This has been the case over the last year, as Luisel and her sister Eliana, both Uruguanian models, died of complications from malnutrition, as did young Brazilian Ana Carolina Reston. This has prompted the Madrid and Milan Fashion Weeks to ban models under a certain BMI.
London has still not created bans but is actively researching the industry. This new study is part of an investigation by the Baroness Kingsmill for the British Fashion Council. They want to study the pressure on models to be thin and look at ways of reducing the incidents of eating disorders.
As Dr. Key states, "The model population is classed as at risk. My assumption is that 20 per cent to 40 per cent are suffering from some kind of eating disorder or disordered eating" (The Independent, 2007).
The interim report will be made public next week. London’s next fashion week takes place in September of this year and the recommendations are supposed to be take effect for this event.
One of the suggestions from Dr. Key is that banning of size zero models doesn’t help. She believes that agents and bookers need to be educated in seeing danger signs. The industry believes it can differentiate between a healthy model and one who is anorexic, but they usually can’t take into account bulimia, extreme dieting and other behaviors that can be hidden.
It is reported that agencies are already turning away new hopefuls who they suspect of having anorexia. We’ll see what the London council has to say next week when they publish the results of their study and make recommendations.
How can we stop models from dropping dead so young, hopefuls from starving themselves to bones and the public that holds them up to the ideal, from following suit?
