Size-zero debate fuels myth that eating disorders are fads DIET:

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Feb 24, 2008 | by Judith Duffy Health Correspondent

THE controversy over size-zero models and celebrities has increased the myth of eating disorders being a fad, according to campaigners.

A major debate about the prevalence of ultra-thin women in the fashion and celebrity worlds was triggered after the deaths of two models in 2006. It led to an inquiry into the health of models and a ban on size-zero girls at Glasgow Fashion Week last year.

But Suzie Vestri, acting director of the campaign group See Me which aims to tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness warned that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia were still "incredibly stigmatised" and said that the furore over the size- zero issue has done little to alleviate this.

"A lot of the coverage is quite sensationalist and it is all about celebrities and fashion, " she said. "It plays into this myth that eating disorders are something you can prevent, or that is a fad.

"Every time fashion weeks come round there is coverage and hysteria about size zero and models being too thin, but none of that coverage is about exploding the myths. It is all about what a terrible thing it is that people do this to themselves.

"I think the coverage of celebrities and the issues about fashion weeks have actually not helped those who have experienced eating disorders." According to a survey carried out by the See Me campaign last year, 91-per cent of people with eating disorders said they had experienced stigma, the second highest of all mental health conditions after those who suffered from personality disorders.

Vestri added: "There are so many quite destructive and harmful myths about eating disorders that it is a class thing, it is something people do to attract attention, it is a fad or people do it to punish their parents.

"You can understand why people, particularly young people, are reluctant to come forward and seek help." Dr Alex Yellowlees, medical director and eating disorder specialist at Glasgow's Priory Hospital, agreed many myths around eating disorders existed, but argued that the size-zero debate had helped by bringing the issue into the spotlight.

"It has made people aware of the dangers. The deaths of the models certainly wakened people up to the fact that this a potentially serious and fatal condition, " he said. "It did result in some markers being put down by the modelling authorities to limit the size of models on the catwalk. That is undoubtedly a great message to be sending out to the next generation, that emaciation is not attractive and is not acceptable."

But, he added, "It is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what needs to be done. The debate now needs to be widened and deepened to bring real perspective to the whole issue." Tomorrow, to mark the start of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the charity beat will launch research revealing how families of eating disorder sufferers are failing to get support. A survey found only 12-per cent of families get the help they need, yet 79-per cent will suffer lasting damage, such as relationship breakdowns, divorce and employment issues.

Grainne Smith, who runs the Aberdeen based group North East Eating Disorders Support, and whose daughter suffered anorexia in the past, agreed families could be devastated by an eating disorder.

"Families live in fear of losing their loved ones, as I did for several years, " she said. "It can be like living in a nightmare. With appropriate and relevant information about all aspects of eating disorders, including how best to respond to difficult behaviour and what to try to avoid, most family members are much better prepared and able to offer effective long-term support to their vulnerable loved ones.

"Without this crucial information especially when the conditions can be life-threatening the results can be a tragedy for the individual and their whole family." A spokeswoman for beat said that although the focus was on individuals with eating disorders, usually the whole family was affected.

"Families' experiences include a lack of response or understanding on their first visit to the GP, having to travel out of the area to access treatment, family breakup, effects on siblings and often the financial consequences of having to finance private treatment where there is no NHS treatment available, " she said.

NEED TO KNOW

THE FACTS Campaigners have warned the debate over size-zero models has done little to lessen the stigma around eating disorders.

BACKGROUND The death of models Luisel Ramos and Ana Carolina Reston in 2006 sparked furious debate over the trend for size zero in the fashion and celebrity world. The Model Health Inquiry in the UK last year called for models to prove they do not suffer eating disorders, but fell short of banning sizezero girls from the catwalk.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?

www. b-eat. co. uk Website of the eating disorders charity beat www. needs-scotland. org North East Eating Disorders Support