Are fashion models a group at risk for eating disorders and substance abuse?
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that fashion models are more at risk for partial ED and use of illicit drugs than females in the general population.
Santonastaso
Paolo
P
Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, University of Padua, Italy.
Mondini
Silvia
S
Favaro
Angela
A
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires