The world of modelling and fashion is often accused of contributing to the rise of eating disorders. Many believe that by using very slim models and the retouching of images has lead to a visible increase in eating disorders. However, is this really the case? Does the fashion world have its part to play?
The catwalk is awash with models who are generally no larger than a UK size 6-8, although a vast number are around a size 4, and over 5'8. If designers are creating their ranges for women of this criteria they are surely implying that this is the ideal way to be? The average UK dress size is currently a size 16 - that's a whopping 5 to 6 sizes LARGER than the catwalk "ideal" and the average woman is around 5'4, at least 6 inches shorter than your typical fashion model. Those are massive differences. Various organisations are continuously pushing for the industry standards to change. Beat, the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families, are working to try to ensure that the industry is educated on eating disorders and how to spot them and also what to do if you are worried you are suffering or someone you know is suffering. Doctors recommend that everyone should try to achieve a healthy Body Mass Index measurement. A healthy BMI range is 18.5 to 24.9, with 25 to 29.9 being overweight and anything over 30 being obese to very obese. BMI is a guideline, it may not be 100% accurate but it is a good way of gauging if a person could potentially be at risk of poor health. Other things to consider are also waist to hip ratio, fat vs muscle levels and a variety of other factors. it is very possible for someone with a BMI of less than 18 to be healthy, some people are naturally thin, the same goes for those in the over 25 range.
Does showing thin, tall models create a perception of beauty that is not necessarily achievable? Is it one of the main contributing factors for people suffering from eating disorders? I am not completely certain it is. Yes, I do believe that more needs to be done to change the industry into one that is far healthier and one that is far more regulated and educated, but I do not feel that magazines and the media are the main reason people, mainly girls, suffer from anoerxia or bulemia or any other disordered eating habits. An eating disorder is a very complex mental illness, not always related to wanting to be thin.
Many people who have suffered from any form of eating disorder say that it started when they were at a point in their life when they felt they had no control and the one thing that they were able to control was their eating habits. For some food may be used as a comfort mechanism, this could lead to serious binge eating and possibly purging or chronic overeating. Food may start to be controlled as a way of taking control of ones life situation. There are many forms of eating disorders and you can not necessarily tell jut by looking at a person that they suffer from one. The signs are hidden inside and is often linked to depression and possibly self harm and alcohol abuse. Eating disorders are extremely complex.
It is time that the media and modelling industry stopped putting pressure on people to conform to the ideal and to also put an end to the belief that anyone who is very slim is ill or anyone who is curvaceous is unhealthy. Being thin does not equal being healthy, it can be just as dangerous to the heart and health of a person as being very very overweight. Eating disorders are misunderstood. Someone who is seen to be a healthy size 12 may have major food issues, whereas someone a small size 8 or an average size 16 may have a completely normal and healthy relationship with food.
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