Treatment Online

A Model's Death and a New Documentary Share a Common Theme: Anorexia and Eating Disorders
> 11/17/2006 12:41:38 PM

Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died this week from complications of anorexia. She is the second South American model to die since the beginning of August, the first, Luisel Ramos having passed away during a show that was part of Montevideo, Uruaguay's Fashion Week. They were 21 and 22 respectively. Ms. Reston had apparently received treatment for her anorexia, but continued to work, and it has been rumored that in the month leading up to her death she subsisted on only apples and tomatoes.

As we've discussed in the past, the fashion industry has come under increasing fire for its behavior regarding the models that it employs and the beauty standards that it perpetuates. The deaths of these two women serve as powerful anecdotal evidence of the immediate dangers to the models themselves, and hopefully will serve as warnings to other young women who are considering the profession. While Madrid's decision to ban underweight models during its own fashion week marked a powerful statement against the horrendous trends toward dangerous body shapes, these two women are evidence that we are still losing this battle. Despite the fact that she had received treatment and was still at a dangerously low weight (88 lbs, 5 ft. 8 in. tall), Ms. Reston continued to get jobs, and we can only assume, continued to be encouraged that her body shape was a positive thing. Now, having buried her child, all Ana Carolina's mother Miriam can do is deliver tearful pleas that other young women do not follow in her daughter's footsteps.

While Ana Carolina's death delivers a powerful message about eating disorders, photographer and documentarian Lauren Greenfield has turned her incisive lens onto the subject in her powerful new film, Thin. From HBO Films, Thin follows the story of four women who receive treatment at the Renfrew Center, a women's mental health clinic with locations around the U.S. The film will be showing on HBO's cable channels throughout the week, and can be purchased from the website as well as other venues. Ms. Greenfield has also compiled a book of her photography. Both offer a compelling look at the personal struggles of women who live with anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders. We give it our highest recommendation, so check it out this weekend.

Comments
hey, i think it's gross when models are like super skinny!!

Posted by: nathan 4/22/2007 7:31:20 AM
heya people! i think that people DYING to be thin is absolutly discraceful. boys dig fit chics not anorexic freaks!!!

Posted by: Taylor 4/24/2007 11:44:57 AM