Topic: eating disorders

Katie Couric Struggled With Bulimia

Katie Couric Struggled With Bulimia

Should we be surprised that Katie Couric struggled with bulimia? I suppose not. I mean, not from a standpoint of “it’s something real women know how to do” but from a standpoint of “I think being on TV in their early 20′s would make anyone incredibly insecure, even if they seem as cool and confident as Katie Couric.” More »

Plus-Size Model Robyn Lawley Declines To Reveal Her Weight On Good Morning America

Plus-Size Model Robyn Lawley Declines To Reveal Her Weight On Good Morning America

Robyn Lawley is a very, very beautiful model who happens to be 6’2” (!) and plus-size. Seriously, look at that screencap up there, she is outrageously beautiful. Anyway, Lawley’s career’s been blowing up–a few major covers, lingerie campaigns, landing the watershed gig of first plus-size Ralph Lauren model. Although Lawley’s breaking boundaries left and right, unfortunately, we still have a ways to go: Good Morning America invited Lawley on the show–ostensibly to celebrate what her success represents–but, not thirty seconds in, asks: ”Do you mind telling me how much you weigh?” More »

Take It From Me: Don’t Become Bulimic

Take It From Me: Don't Become Bulimic

We all know that eating disorders are bad for your body—malnutrition weakens your bones and muscles, you can grow extra hair all over if you’re severely underweight, your teeth become damaged, etcetera. But like many of the fellow eating disorder-afflicted folks I’ve met, I simply assumed that I wouldn’t have to face any of those dangers unless I continued throwing up until I was in my thirties or forties. I just figured that by the time I got older, I’d have stopped before anything permanently damaged my body. I’m young, I thought, I’m resillient.

I was wrong. I’m twenty-two now, but by my late teens, I had already received several of those effects. More »

Thin Models Actually Don’t Make Most Women Buy Clothes

Thin Models Actually Don't Make Most Women Buy Clothes

There’s no one reason why fashion models are extremely thin. You’ll hear everything from clients, sample sizes, and agency demands to competition between models and the public that buys magazines featuring them. One of the more steadfast beliefs, though, is that models are thin because fashion is “aspirational” and women want to buy more than clothes: they want some abstract impossible thinness, youth, beauty, etc. As one researcher says, “It’s better to use extremely thin models because that’s what makes women feel bad about themselves and want to buy the products.” More »

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