Gisele Bundchen talks about the banning of underweight models. The Brazilian celebrity speaks out about anorexia and eating disorders in the fashion industry.
With all of the recent controversy in the fashion industry concerning the banning of underweight models, Brazilian celebrity Gisele Bundchen speaks out about anorexia and eating disorders.
This past year has seen Spain, Italy and London create a minimum BMI requirement for models, as well as an age minimum of 16 years. The United States has followed suit, somewhat reluctantly, by producing a set of guidelines that encourages designers to report girls who are suffering from an eating disorder.
But Gisele Bundchen has had it with the debate and the blame put on the fashion industry and models for the rise in the rates of anorexia and bulimia.
"I never suffered from this problem [an eating disorder] because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry," she was quoted as telling O Globo magazine.
The recent deaths of her fellow Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston, as well as Uruguayan model Luisel Ramos, were cited due to complications from anorexia. But Gisele defends the industry that pays her as nothing more than a career reality.
"Everybody knows that the norm in fashion is thin," she stated, "But excuse me, there are people born with the right genes for this profession."
And so the debate continues. How much of an impact do you think super skinny models have on the rise of eating disorders?
For all the coverage on the ban of underweight models, click here.
The copyright of the article Gisele Bundchen on Banning Underweight Models in Anorexia Nervosa is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Gisele Bundchen on Banning Underweight Models in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Its not about whether or not models need to be thin, its whether or not
girls or anyone for that matter view being super thin as the way to be.
Anorexia Nervosa is viewed as an easy way to achieve being thin, just like
models. Models are seen as the picture perfect way to be, concerning
physical form of women. The image that paper thin models portray negatively
reinforce girls with poor self-image who then seek easy ways to be thin.
(negative in that if they don't eat, they will be thin)
Oct 7, 2009 7:57 PM
Guest :
There is nothing easy about anorexia. As a survivor I should know. Anorexia
is a psychological disorder, even after becoming skeletal thin you still
see yourself as fat. Even without fashion models or magazines displaying
super thin models there will still be young women suffering from anorexia.
There are many other factors, such as being fat all through your childhood
and being teased by your peers, having other family members that are
overweight, low self esteem and well this is a personal one for me but
entering a changeroom area at a store in the mall (I was 17) and having a
woman tell me how beautiful my face and hair was if I was only thinner I'd
be "perfect"! If you want to be extemely thin and DEAD
anorexia is an easy route to it. I was lucky and survived but it took some
serious time with a psychologist and a dietition at the hospital. There are some telltale signs if you suspect your daughter (or son) is
anorexic ... they become clean freaks and clean everything especially the
fridge and may go as far as to alphabetize your cupboards, they will make
food for others in the household but convienantly be on their way out the
door when it's time to eat (sometimes I took mine with me and chucked it
out the window at a park to feed the critters afterall they don't have body
issues), they may start drinking caffeinated beverages or energy drinks to
fuel their body without food and then there is the ones that on top of not
eating become workout fiends and go to back-to-back aerobics classes and
top it off with an hour on the exercise equipment. Point blank... if you
don't see them eating they need professional help! They will make excuses
and tell you they already ate or will grab something on the way to wherever
they are going, if you want to save them before it is too late get them
help. Without help they will never see themselves as thin enough and start
eating again, there is no point where the anorexic looks in a mirror and
says I look perfect. They will see fat that isn't there or some other
imperfection. Oh God I forgot to mention if you find over the counter diet
pills that is another sign and any diet that consists of "one"
thing is no good, you cannot live on grapes alone or tomatoes or apples or
watermelon and the list goes on and on. Most of the above is from my
personal experience and I'm sure there are things I am missing and signs
that may give you concern do what you think is right and take action before
it is too late! Patricia Wall
Jan 22, 2007
