how can we reduce the risk of fashion models and their eating disorder? .
I am just concerned about how fashion models promote eating disorder and other health problems. i was wondering if it is possible for you guys to promote healthy lifestyle to one of the well known fashion designers to reduce the risk of the problems.
it is very sad how this is becoming serious looking at future models and people chasing the dream of being fashion models. it would be great if you can promote health fitness to fashion designers so that they can be aware of the risks they putting other people into because they do not want normal size or fat people.
it is better to train them for the future instead of creating eating disorder. it would be a good thing if you guys think about it and try it out to work together with fashion designers in encouraging them to let their models sign for health fitness in order to stay healthy.
Great question Mosa! Unfortunately their industry and work environment will not allow this to happen (them gaining some weight). The fashion industry makes ridiculous amounts of profits and changing the status quo is not in their best interest. It is what it is. And to tell you the truth they all knew what they were getting into when they decided to become fashion models (their health and weight situation is part of the job). Those are the rules they need to follow if they want to be successful and sadly most of them “comply”.
No matter how bad some of them are talking about their industry, they are making great money and they accept the risks. If it’s to dangerous (health wise) for them to keep doing what they are doing, they always have the option to get out or to chose a different profession.
So, talking to the fashion designer won’t do much. The only way they are going to change their minds and start moving into a different direction is if they realize they can’t sell their clothes because they have lost touch with the rest of the us (“the normal people”).
Hello Mosa Makgoka,
It starts at home. Parents/caregivers need to teach that everyone is given a talent and/or body shape to work with. Is it only about one percent of the population is naturally model thin? They are the only ones who should apply to model, while the big and strong apply for football, the tall and thin for track, etc. This happens with wrestling, also; growing children trying to compete at a lighter category when they should be getting bigger.
The fashion industry is huge and very fast paced, too fast to be making the clothes in all sizes; that is where the thin model of a certain height comes in, easy on and off of one prototype for a show.
My job as trainer is to work with the people and their families who contact me. We try to save the world; but, realize that we can only reach those in our area. Hopefully, the common sense frame of mind I try to instill will trickle down and around.
Yes, I am trying, every day.
Take care,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
Hi Mosa,
I really don’t think that the top fashion models are out there promoting eating disorders. I do believe, however, that it’s an occupational hazard among fashion models who need to stay thin. It’s no different than NFL players taking PED’s & sustaining concussions to stay in the league – there’s a lot of money at stake. They know it’s not good but do it anyway because of the reward. As far as fashion models go these days, it seems like there has been a shift away from the “underfed” look. I’m seeing more “fuller figured” models on TV and in print. I could be wrong but Kate Upton, Gisele & company look pretty healthy to me.
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com
People do unhealthy things for profit in many arenas, not just modeling.
IMO, rather than try to change the fashion industry, we need to target the healthy body image and self esteem of youth. Teach them that bodies come in all sorts of heights and shapes and colors and that a healthy body moves regularly, whether in a gym or out. That our bodies aren’t our life’s work, they’re the tools that we use to accomplish our life’s work.
As a model myself (although I’m a commercial print model, NOT fashion), I think that until the mindset of the public changes (which I think drives the mindset and direction of the fashion industry and designers), this won’t change. Top-notch fashion models make way too much money for them to ignore what drives fashion (thin in in) in my personal opinion.
More and more, the modeling industry as a whole is beginning to recognize that the skinnier is not necessarily the better. I know that your question focuses on fashion models, but it’s a huge industry that transcends just fashion (e.g. fitness models, commercial print models etc) and so fortunately not all models are subject to this kind of pressure. Let’s hope that it changes, and soon!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com