Thought of the Week

After receiving an unprecedented large number e mails following concerns about eating disorders - ‘thought of the week’ is dedicated to the impending ‘London Fashion Week’ which starts on 11th February.

Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, affect a staggering 12% of the UK population. The sad fact for anorexia nervosa sufferers is that as many as 20% may die as a result of their illness. This puts anorexia nervosa as one of leading causes of death amongst young girls.

In September 2006, Spain introduced rules banning models with a Body Mass Index (BMI) under 18, from appearing on the catwalk in Madrid. This followed growing concerns after the death of the model Luisel Ramos, who died of heart failure after eating nothing for days.

Unfortunately, this week London Fashion Week announced they would not be following the Spanish lead. Instead, under weight models will be allowed to appear on the catwalk. Susan Ringwood, chief executive of the Eating Disorders Association said "It's a mixed message [the public] get, when they are being told they are damaging their bodies and yet see other people being celebrated for it."

Oscar-nominated actress Kate Winslet has said she refuses to have any magazines in her house that show skinny celebrities because of the damaging effect it could have on her six-year-old daughter, Mia. She described the trend as "unbelievably disturbing". Perhaps we should all consider following Kate’s lead and avoid buying magazines during London fashion week which are celebrating underweight models, and use our consumer power to make a health statement.