Ultra-Thin Model and Eating Disorder

Abstract

The issue of dieting and the underlying social culture of thinness is widely known as a factor in the development of eating disorders, and fashion models exposed in the media have a great influence on the values of thinness. In Western countries, following a series of reports on the sudden deaths of fashion models due to eating disorders since 2006, laws and fashion organizations have regulated ultra-thin models. In Italy and Israel, models with a BMI lower than 18.5 and in Spain, models with a BMI lower than 18.0 are no longer allowed to appear in fashion shows, and in France, legal regulations have been in effect since 2017. Although there is no clear data on the effectiveness of the regulation of ultra-thin models, it is thought that the fashion industry’s response, the appearance of plus-size models, and the body-positive movement are gradually encouraging society to accept a diversity of body shapes beyond thinness, but change in Japan has been scarce.