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| Photos provided by Made Man and Buzzfeed |
1. Ana Carolina Reston 2. Maiara Galvao Vieira 3. Hila Elmalich 4. Eliana Ramos 5. Luisel Ramos
Q: What do these five models have in common?
A: In 2006, these five women all died from complications with eating disorders.
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| Information provided by Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness |
While most of the world is familiar with what eating disorders (EDs) are, very few know the statistics that are associated with them.
Did you know that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of mental illness? Most Americans don't realize that eating disorders are considered a mental illness, with almost 70 million people affected globally.
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| Information provided by Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness |
"So what? I throw up after lots of meals. It's a great way to lose pounds before a show."- Derek Zoolander from Zoolander
Zoolander, a 2001 comedy about the model business, brings to light how common disordered eating is within the fashion industry. According to Model Alliance, an organization that brings these statistics to light, 31.2 percent of models are affected by eating disorders.
Out of these models, 64 percent have been told by their industry that they need to lose weight. With the average model being 5'11" and only 117 pounds, it's alarming that the corporate offices want these underweight models to shed weight. However this is the industry, specifically agencies like Ford, Click, and Wilhelmina, that considers a "plus-size" models to be a size 8 and larger.
As the catwalk features thinner and thinner models, men and women across the globe are being influenced by this unhealthy body type. It's now reported that eating disorders affect up to 24 million Americans.
The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) is one of the nation's largest non profit organizations for those plagued by eating disorders. Monika (last name undisclosed), a helpline worker for NEDA, said that "Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males."
While people know there are side effects to disordered eating, little is known to what they are. Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders. Anorexia patients are known to starve themselves in order to lose weight.
According to Monika, there are a multitude of adverse effects when it comes to this disorder. Some are: severe dehydration that leads to kidney failure, muscle loss, brittle bones and heart failure. All five models mentioned earlier died of complications due to Anorexia Nervosa.
While NEDA, according to Monika, does not keep demographical statistical information, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) five - 20 percent of patients die from their eating disorders.
Eating disorders are perceived by the public as being mere vanity. However, with deaths becoming more common, and more young children becoming ill, these disorders are not to be taken lightly.
In his video, "Understanding Eating Disorders," Dr. Tomas Insel of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) discusses the general assumptions of eating disorders in order to help educate the public.
"Basic understanding is what we are looking for," said Monika. "To have the masses understand how this disease is effecting us as a society and how we will combat future growth of this mental illness."
If you or anyone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, need information, or want to know about treatment options call the free (confidential) helpline at 1-800-931-2237.