Institute of Psychiatry / News
Eating Disorders Unit urges fashion bosses to ban 'clearly anorexic' girls
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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Eating Disorders
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Professor Janet Treasure, head of the eating disorders service and research unit has along with 40 doctors and health professional colleagues had an open letter to the British Fashion Council published in the Evening Standard this week highlighting the dangers of making skinny models into icons, given the increased prevalence of eating disorders now found in nearly 10 per cent of young women. The letter also makes the point that public interventions may be warranted. It cites the example of the Spanish health authorities who recently made the decision to ban extremely thin models from participating in this year's annual Cibeles Fashion Show, an important first step that other fashion industries could choose to adopt.
Read the unedited letter from Janet Treasure to the Evening Standard, 4 October 2006
The Eating Disorders Service and Research Unit is actively seeking participants for a variety of research projects into all aspects of eating disorders. If you think you could help please contact Frankie Bishopp on: f.bishopp@iop.kcl.ac.uk or mobile number: 07711 515828. You can also visit: http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/iopweb/departments/home/default.aspx?locator=308
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