The fashion industry has become more aware of anorexic models and the dangers of anorexia nervosa within this business. Like others who suffer from anorexia, an anorexic model develops fears over becoming fat and loosing jobs. And this is a valid fear; many models have been told by managers that they need to lose weight in order to keep working.
The disease may start out innocently enough – with just harsh dieting, intense exercise, and/or the use of laxatives. Over time, however, the person’s self image gets distorted. They always see themselves as too fat for success and continue the unhealthy behaviors.
Anorexic models are common on catwalks where the pressure to fit into zero size outfits seems intense. As time goes on, an anorexic model may become very weak, develop a variety of health issues, and also show serious signs of depression. Eventually, anorexia nervosa can lead to death.
Some of the health issues associated with untreated anorexia nervosa include:
- Calcium deficiency
- Kidney stones
- Liver disease
- Interrupted menstrual cycles
- Heart failure
- Dehydration
- Nerve damage
- Muscle loss
- Emotional withdrawal
- Fatigue
- Gum disease & tooth erosion
- Hair loss
- Sleep disorders
Ana Carolina Reston was an anorexic model who did not get help. She died after consuming only apples and tomatoes as her “diet plan,” leaving her 5’8” tall body weighing only 88 pounds at the time of her death. Similarly Luisel Ramos died after eating only lettuce and diet coke for 90 days. Both models were only in their early 20s.
Another model, Isabelle Caro, became the face of anorexia by appearing on billboards showing her thinness to heighten awareness about this condition. After collapsing, Caro realized she needed help. On her road to recovery, she hopes some day to become a mother. Anorexia can cause infertility, however.
Many fashion designers deny that anorexia is a problem. Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld stated that the models were not anorexic, just skinny. He said that they have “skinny bones.”
It’s important to understand that anyone can become anorexic. It’s just that the fashion industry has a much higher risk of anorexic models developing than other less appearance-oriented jobs. An anorexic model may develop the condition in their teens, as do many other individuals. About 90% of people with anorexia are women.
No one knows for certain if there’s a sure-fire way to decrease the number of anorexic models. However, the severity of anorexia, and its high percentage rate among models has led some fashion show facilitators to taking a closer look at their runways. In some cases this has lead to rule changes.
For example, fashion leaders in Madrid have a rule requiring a minimum body mass index of 18. Girls must meet this to appear in shows (starvation BMI is qualified as 16 or lower by the World Health Association). Anorexic models are often below that index. The hope is that by having new guidelines an anorexic model will be encouraged to take steps toward wellness.
Now, not all models become anorexic, but there’s no question that the industry hesitates to move out of the “thin” trend. Designers feel that they won’t get exposure for normal and plus size lines. Considering that many magazines hire only small size models, their concerns are not without valid foundation. So as a whole the industry appears to send the skinny message out to not only models but also the young men and women who admire them.