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Are fashion models a group at risk for eating disorders and substance abuse?
Paolo Santonastaso1, Silvia Mondini, Angela Favaro
1Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, University of Padua, Italy.
Background:
Few studies to date have investigated whether in fact the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) and/or use of illicit drugs is higher among models than among other groups of females.
Method:
A group of 63 professional fashion models of various nationalities were studied by means of self-reported questionnaires. They were compared with a control group of 126 female subjects recruited from the general population.
Results:
Fashion models weigh significantly less than controls, but only a small percentage of them uses unhealthy methods to control their weight. The current frequency of full-syndrome ED did not differ between the groups, but partial-syndrome ED were significantly more common among fashion models than among controls. Current substance use or alcohol abuse was reported by 35% of fashion models and 12% of controls.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that fashion models are more at risk for partial ED and use of illicit drugs than females in the general population.