The fashion industry is often named as the primary cause of eating disorders among young women. The super-skinny models, many people claim, set an unobtainable standard that girls are so desperate to achieve that they'll starve themselves. While the environment does play a role, scientists have made some startling discoveries lately that point to genetics as the primary cause for anorexia nervosa.

"Many people diet, they say, and almost everyone is bombarded with pressures to be thin, but only a very few - less than half a percent of all women and a scant number of men - develop anorexia. Experts also point to a long history of anorexia over the centuries, before strikingly thin models became cultural superstars and skinny became the ideal of feminine beauty."

Scientists say that genetic predisposition can account for up to 70 percent of a person's risk for developing an eating disorder. One of the biggest indicators that environment is less of a factor and genetics more is that the prevalence of anorexia has remained steady over the past 30 years, despite increased societal pressures to be thin. Source: The Toronto Star

Labels: body_type, media_influences, role_models

Australian men's magazine FHM recently conducted an online survey asking men to pick their "preferred" body type from models who were sizes eight, twelve and fourteen. Overwhelmingly, men chose the size 12 and 14 models, which some think is good news for women and young girls who struggle with body image issues.

"But Julie Thomson, general manager of eating disorders and body image campaigners The Butterfly Foundation, said such surveys were far more damaging to women than they were helpful."

While Thomson believes such surveys objectify women, body image expert Marika Tiggemann believes the findings show that most women have distorted views of how thin they have to be in order to be attractive. Source: SMH.com.

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Labels: body_image, body_type, media_influences

Nese Halil is living proof that the fashion industry is finally beginning to re-think its "size zero" mentality. Nese, who is a size 16, will be working the catwalk for London's fashion week, which kicks off tomorrow. She thinks it's important for girls to appreciate whatever body type they have.

"...29-year-old Nese, who is in Scotland next week for a fashion show, is living proof if you actually learn to love your curves you can still earn a fortune as a model and stay healthy. Nese says: ‘There's too much pressure on young girls to be a certain shape or size. They should be allowed to enjoy life, enjoy food and let go. It's about being in shape, looking good and feeling healthy."

Nese was this summer's Special K girl, and was at the center of the company's ad campaigns promoting healthy living. She eats healthy and works out, not to be skinny she says, but to "be toned and keep a good shape."

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Labels: body_type, fashion, healthy_eating