Lessons From Top Supermodel Gisele Bundchen On Aneroxia

Top Supermodel Gisele Bundchen, in an interview, last Friday said that weak family support is to be blamed for anorexia. Gisele Bundchen was ranked the 16th richest women in Forbe’s list of 20 richest women in entertainment last week. The fashion industry has been bearing the brunt for promoting skinny models.

In the interview, she said that she never suffered from the problem because she had a strong family base. Gisele herself comes from Brazil and has credited her family from being supportive of her since young despite looking skinny. In school, her peers had often teased her by calling her names like Olive Oyle, a thin character from Popeye. Gisele attributed her genes for giving her the silhouette that is suitable for modeling.

Interestingly, the interview was conducted during Fashion Rio show, which has banned models of under 16 years of age and also required models to prove that they are of good health. The strict guidelines follow the death of a top Brazilian model from complications due to anorexia nervosa.

Nonetheless, the fashion industry has also started to pay heed. In September last year, Spain refused to allow models below a certain weight from the Madrid fashion shows. The Italians also signed a pact not to take in sickly and skinny girls onto the catwalk.

Here are a couple of messages that can be learnt from the supermodel herself. Good family support is essential in preventing anorexia in the first place. Thus, surround yourself in a warm and loving environment whereby there is constant communication of love and acceptance of each other, despite perceived flaws or imperfections in body shape or behaviour.

Anorexia patients themselves should also seek out the company of a close, supportive network of family and friends. Often enough, they are ashamed of their body and condition and do not want others to know about their condition. Having the assurance of love and support can help the patient put things into perspective and to overcome their eating disorder.

While it may be that the media and the fashion houses also play a role in the development of anorexia, anorexia patients have to learn to take responsibility for themselves. Hence, instead of resisting help, anorexia patients should recognise that they indeed have an eating disorder and that only they can help themselves out. Where support from family is lacking, there are now plenty of other support groups and counsceling available. A good idea is to check out at the local hospital or treatment center for such support groups.

Click here for interesting news and updates on eating disorders.