Models must get down to an unhealthy weight to keep their bosses happy. A new study says modeling agencies pressure models to be a size zero. If the model is not skinny enough, she will not get jobs. The study is the largest ever to look at eating disorders among professional models. Lead researcher Dr Rachel Roberts said it was the first study to look into the link between unhealthy eating and pressure from modeling agencies. She said: "We now have… scientific proof that eating disorders are a serious health problem in the modeling industry."
Researchers questioned female models and found that 81% of them were underweight. Many led an unhealthy lifestyle to stay skinny so their agencies would give them work. They missed meals, didn't eat for days, used diet pills and made themselves throw up. Over half said their agency would not give them jobs unless they lost more weight. Agencies are not breaking the law, but eating disorders can lead to serious health problems. These include infertility, heart damage, weak bones, organ failure and even death. Teenagers want bodies like the models, which leads to more health issues.