Size Zero: Friend or Foe?

'Fat' an academic discipline...

2007-03-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

It seems that while weight issues in the fashion world is grabbing headlines it has become the talk of the academic world too.

Kansas City will be host to new 'Fat Studies' convention.

'Proposals and abstracts for papers and sessions in the field of Fat Studies are sought for the Midwest Popular Culture Association annual convention.'

'Fat Studies is a fast-growing, interdisciplinary field and proposals from any field of study are welcome. At MPCA 2006 we had three full panels, with presentations on widely varied topics including Ben Jonson's poetry,comic book villains, celebrity exercise videos, BMI testing in schools, eating disorders in prisons, and the relationship between obesity and academic achievement.'

So why this growing interest in the academic fields. I feel like weight is the new acceptable topic to criticise and dissect. Like race it is an issue that effect the vast majority of people in the world.

Size Zero Today: March 23rd 2007

2007-03-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Cleo Watson has written a fantastic article for The Spectator. It projects a lot of the details that I have been writing about. Take a look at her personal encounter with the size zero fad. You will be enlightened.

The girls of St Thinian’s

Cleo Watson

'After the South American models Luisel Ramos and Carolina Reston starved themselves to death last year to try to reach size ‘zero’, the fashion world promised to be more responsible. It hung its head in shame, and even chivvied some size-12 girls on to the catwalk for London Fashion Week last month. So I imagine that most people think that the whole zero fad has finally faded away, and that teenage girls like me and my school-friends have developed healthier role models and a happier relationship with our food. Well, I’m sorry to disappoint any Spectator-reading parents, but in my experience it’s worse than ever.' (The Spectator. co.uk)

Read more at http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/28669/the-girls-of-st-thinians.thtml

Why 'Friend or Foe'?

2007-03-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

Today someone said to me 'I don't see why being a size zero or anorexic can be a friend'. I found it hard to explain in the environment I was in to someone I don't know. I am here now to explain what this size zero obsession can be a friend.

It is hard to explain something to someone that has no experience with the thing your trying to explain, this becomes even harder when the thing you are trying to explain is a personal relationship.

Anorexia and bulimia are diseases, FACT but why the occur and how people cope with them and respond to them is a personal encounter that only that person can understand to the fullest. this isn't to say no one can relate or try to understand.

It is been said that one of the symptoms of why eating disorders occur is because the people it happens to are lost or out of control within their own world.

For me I didn't notice it happening. Suddenly I felt that I had control over my life and I did question why. It was comforting to have confidence within myself (I was later to find out that this was false confidence). It was nice that no one could interfere with what I was doing. It was nice to not have people choosing things for me or giving their opinion. I know that this is a temporary fix and a way to hide from dealing with what is happening around you but it makes you feel a sense of safety. It makes you feel like you are going to be okay. This is why size zero, anorexia, bulimia, food controlling in general can be a 'friend'. In a sense it is a living being, it breathes, thinks, feels but importantly it understands.

As you already know the foes of these complexities are well publicized and every person that experiences a eating disorder struggle has experienced the friend and the foe. The disease is not black and white but rather all different shades of grey.

Size Zero Today: March 19th 2007

2007-03-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Megastar.co.uk reported that stars such as Hilary Duff and Lena Heady are speaking out against the media and the Hollywood obsession with weight.

Duff told the Mirror that she felt pressured to lose weight after reading a tabloid that called her 'fat'. After losing the weight she was then attacked by the media for being too thin. Duff said: "I did get skinny, when I read 'Duff Puff - she's gained 15 pounds', how would any normal person react?"

Increasingly celebrities are speaking out about the movie and music industries. Women celebrities are especially commenting on the treatment the receive and how it affects their lives.

Pro-ana

2007-03-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

'The term Pro-ana is a conjunction of the root pro, which means "in favor of", and a shortened form of the term "anorexia", and refers to a group or subculture that promotes or supports anorexia as a lifestyle choice rather than an eating disorder.' (Thank you Wikipedia).

I recently ventured into the world of the Internet pro-ana. It to me is a strange world. Where I found on observation that the people producing the websites and visiting the forums, were there as a form of empowerment. As I have mentioned before in my 'sizing' post my relationship with this disorder was about control. A form of OCD if you will. When looking at the sites that are out there and seeing the responses they receive it felt that their desire to live that 'lifestyle' was building control in there individual worlds.

I have always been a tad of a perfectionist in my life. Not necessarily in the academic side. Averaging often a C grade but more in my personal life. My Mom calls it a box ticker. My family used to tease me saying, "Maia's making her set-up". This was largely in reference for my need, from a small age, to make myself fit in to my environment. I moved a lot when I was kid and I had moving down to a tee. Within half an hour of being in a new house I would have my room (set-up) done. Everything had a place and that place had a reason. I would from the age of four or five clean my room on Saturdays for fun, yes fun. I haven't changed much. My point for talking about this is that I think that these pro-ana sites are a way of having a perfect set-up. A way to have a place that is under your control. A place that no matter where you are will never change and if it does it's because you changed it.

It is said that people that suffer from eating disorders are characteristically over achievers and perfections. I saw this when visiting these sites. The technology on most was the most recent and advanced. There wasn't a text out of place. I found it really interesting that these worlds created where in a way a symptom for what these people are going through.

I personally feel a tad weird about the whole anorexia as a lifestyle and overall don't agree with what most of the sites are aiming for but that doesn't me I don't understand or feel for those going through this disease.

As I have said before I have a hard time not being drawn to weight issues. It's still a part of my everyday thinking. I understand that this sites are a form of perfection to those who are suffering. Anorexia is a hard thing to let go of. It is comforting, familiar and personal.

I find it weird at first entering a site that was about something I had gone through. I felt weird giving something that I am against hits.

Recent Test:

2007-03-12T11:19:00.001-07:00

I recently did I post on a myspace forum trying to get an intelligent response from people my age about the issue of size zero. This is how it turned out...

It took five minutes to get 13 responses. The responses were however, not the intelligent answers I had hoped for instead it was a lot of people with big egos trying to say something clever and funny, which of course turned out to be neither. Why is it so hard for kids, yes kids, of my generation to have a real conversation, about something that is affecting people around them?

Here are some of the responses I received (names not included, obviously):

I asked three questions...

1. Who is to blame?
2. What is the fixation with size zero?
3. What do you like, skinny or full?

Answers:

Example one:

1. Your mother.
2. Your mother's brainwashing beam set up in your backyard blinking ominously.
3. While I would prefer my future bride not to pull a Skeletor and have nothing but a napkin, salt packet, and bottle of Crystal Light for dinner......I'm going to have go with your mother as my final answer.

Example two:

Yeah i am not a size zero and i would never want to...why would someone want to look like a crack whore???

Example three:

eh, someone shut this broad up with a tube steak.

Finally I got some half human and dare I say clever answers:

Example one:

1. You only have yourself to blame if you really feel the need to be that thin.
2. Trying to fit that mould of being 'good enough'
3. I like dem bootylicious bitches. *cough*

Example two:

I don't think its your size that makes you sexy. Its how you hold & handle yourself. Sex appeal does not come in any size.I wear 0's & 1's depending on the jeans. I don't count calories & I never will. Just taking care of yourself and loving who you are is all that matters.

Example three:

I watched some mad program while I was in America a couple of weeks ago, though i think it might be a British program called "the agency"Basically it's a model agency where this bitchy English woman swears at all of her clients and says they're all disgusting and fat, and that they should be ashamed of themselves for being so Disgusting. Most of these girls were a UK size 8, which i guess is about a US 2 or 4 ?I wanted to punch her in the mouth.

It's funny I really expected people to get involved with the topic, instead of poking fun at the issue but what happened was the opposite. The general response was 'whatever not my problem'. This leads me to another question why is it then if people respond like this to serious questions that then these same sort of people are producing pressure for others to fit in? Why is it okay for them to have any place to complain about the pressures they, themselves, live under.

Size Zero Today: March 12th 2007

2007-03-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Leslie Watson, Director of charity Sustainability South West, took a new stance on the size zero debate. She is suggesting forget about your weight and focus on the future.

Encouraging the public and the government to put more focus on the environment, climate change in particular. She said: "Rather than women feeling pressure to 'cut their carbs' with the latest fad diet we should be supporting each other to cut the 'carbs' that really matter - carbon dioxide emissions!"

Watson is calling for more action to be made in reducing the effects of climate change. She said: "In the South West we have the fastest growing and most ageing female population of the UK. We need policies that will support women's health and well-being as well as their ability to care for their families and to be economically active in a low carbon way."

Size Zero Today: March 8th 2007

2007-03-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

Teenhollywood.com reported that The Devil Wears Prada star, Anne Hathaway slammed Hollywood executives for encouraging the size zero culture, insisting actresses should not be forced to slim down for roles.

The 24-year-old, who is satisfied with her curvy figure, said: "It's completely understandable as a teenager to fret about your body. It's scary because you don't know how it's going to wind up."

The actress has openly admitted that she has turned down roles in the past because of the pressure to loose weight for a particular role. She said: "I'm not a size zero, If people can't understand you've put on five pounds, I don't want to deal with them."

Size Zero Today: March 7th 2007

2007-03-07T03:24:00.000-08:00

Entertainmentwise.com reported today that Channel 4 are host to a new show called... 'Super Skinny Me: The Race To Size Zero'. The show is encouraging women to crash diet in order to reacht the size zero goal.

It is described as the opposite of the Morgan Spurlock documentary film ‘Super Size Me’. Channel 4 hope that the show will show the extreme side of dieting and disvcourage people from entering 'that world' but it leaves me with a lingering question why do the show at all.

The images of the super skinny are still being promoted. A Channel 4 spokesman has said: "This is a shock doc with a real sense of purpose".I however have a sneaking suspison that this spokesperson has no idea of the conseguences of a show like this. It for example could give ideas of how to crash diet 'succesfully'. Shows like this should be stopped from airing.

Size Zero Today: March 6th 2007

2007-03-06T04:07:00.000-08:00

The Daily Mail today reported that nearly three quarters of women would like to be thinner, though most women have said that to become a size zero would be to far. They find it unattractive.

It was found in a survey of 1,206 women only 23 per cent were happy with their current dress size. 72 per cent wanted to loose weight. Size 12 was seen as the most desirable figure, with 27 per cent preferring it.

It was also found that more curvaceous celebrities like Kate Winslet, Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe were more admired than Madonna's sinewy frame or Victoria Beckham's slim build.

I personally am still drawn to the skinny celebrities even though their unhealthiness is apparent.

Size Zero Today: Febraury 20th 2007

2007-02-20T04:11:00.000-08:00

The Brunei Times reported today that Africa is set to replace size zero with curves. Africa is the newest fashion empire that is joining in with the size zero backlash. In a Continent where people are regularly going unfed and malnutrition among the highest in the world, it seems a little tacky to say the least to promote such body types as those modeled by the fashionites.

London fashion week was awash with the size zero debate to the point where the clothes were rarely mentioned. Paul Jackson, chief executive at Leisureworx, the organisers of Africa's first autumn/winter show said: "Some of those girls from Europe just look emaciated but we have a different look here [...] I think the girls here are more athletic."

Women young African women become more wealthy there is a temptation to slim down but the ultra skinny look is yet to take full force. The desire to look healthy is a stronger value among girls growing up around the likes of starvation and HIV.

Nigerian born designer Duro Olowu said: "If a woman can't look good in something that's a size eight or a size 14 then it's the garment, not the woman."

Tyra Banks stands out

2007-02-15T07:31:00.001-08:00

Okay look at this picture. Get a good look. I will say it now if, when I reach 33 and I look half as good as this I will be so thankful. But today this picture is being attacked. Comments such as “America’s next top waddle” and “Tyra Porkchop” are among those being tossed around. Why? Because no matter how much we people like to think that thin is gross, the society has a serious problem people still see this image, healthy may I add, as sickening and FAT! Out of all things fat.

Lucky for us someone understands that this is insane behaviour. Tyra didn't start only eating apples or living on water she but the same swimsuit on and marched around in front of her TV audience. She said: "Luckily, I’m strong enough and I have a good support system and I love my momma.” She didn't stop there she continued to prove to the world that this a ridiculous obsession. But if I had lower self-esteem I would be starving myself right now, and that’s exactly what’s happening to women all over this country. So I have something to say to all of you who have something nasty to say about ME, to other women who are built like ME, to women whose names you KNOW, women whose names you DON’T, women who’ve been picked on, women whose husbands put them DOWN, women at WORK, girls at SCHOOL, I have one thing to say to YOU,” and Tyra points her finger at the camera and slaps her own thigh defiantly, “KISS MY FAT ASS!”

I feel that more people, with the power, yes celebrities and politicians and all those other people that are constantly in out papers judging and be judged should speak out and try to address the problem rather than place the blame or push it one side.

Have a look at her response:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArKgFYLyvGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ5unYaNd3c

Look at the response from the Fashion world:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK3CFxcDOWE

Funny how banning size 0 is okay but making fun of anything above that is fine. Mixed messages?

Size Zero Today: February 15th 2007

2007-02-15T07:31:00.000-08:00

As reported in the Metro, 14 February. It was only six months ago that the death of 22 year old, model, Luisel Ramos, sparked this world wide 'size zero' debate. Now her sister Eliana Ramos, 18, has been found dead this week due to malnutrition. The total now rests at three models that have recenlty died from stavation.

The Cambridge Evening News reported today that Model, Lily Cole, 18, is being held responisble for the problems of anorexia.

She is being accused of promoting 'size zero' with her slender frame, even though on her agencies website she is stated as being 5ft 10in with a 24in waist and 36in hips. It is important however to remember that Size 0 is actually an American size, equivalent to a British size four - a 31.5in bust, a 23in waist and 34in hips. Cole has denied she is size zero. Roland Mouret, desiner for Gap said: "Every newspaper should print an apology to that young girl, because they have made her life hell. They're saying, basically, she is responsible for eating disorders."

Tessa Jowell has said: "There are also wider social consequences like the impact of the culture of thinness on the well being and aspirations of teenage girls. Fashion and the tyranny of thinness can undermine selfconfidence of young women. Low self-esteem is reinforced by this idealised body image as represented by size 0 models."

Sizing

2007-02-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

Sizing has been a part of my life and I am sure that it has affected many other people's lives too. Currently there is a lot of debate of 'size zero'. I want to address these news stories and the media attention as well as hear 'real' people’s stories. I will in turn share all that I know and have experienced.

The issue of size among, not only models but women and girls too, all over the world has become an increased 'hot topic'. I find this interesting because I, myself, have suffered from an eating disorder and although I am in recovery now, it is still an addiction. I am drawn to articles, movies, documentaries, anything that will link me to a size debate.

It is currently London Fashion Week (2007) and there are newspaper articles all over the place saying 'We'll have no Size 0 models'. It is fascinating to me that some of these comments are coming from the Fashion Week Chief, herself. But I have to ask my self was it not just five years ago that models were rewarded for there lean figures. Bones were in and yet again fat was out. Naomi Campbell recently said: “You can’t blame the industry for a psychological disease. It is a disease, like alcohol or drugs, and the industry is not to blame.” I personally don't think that is true. Yes i do agree with her that it is a disease just like alcohol or drugs, but surely drug addicts form there habits due to their surrounding areas. I don't see why eating disorders should be any different.

My Story:

I have come to find that although eating disorders are commonly treated with drugs and medications it is actually a serve anxiety disorder, in my case a form of OCD. Funnily enough I didn't start my eating disorder because I was fat, truthfully I have never been considered fat. I used my disorder as a form of control. Food issues have been a part of my life since I was young. At the age of seven I stopped eating birds: chicken, turkey etc. I haven't touched a piece since then, that includes eggs. Whenever my life got a little bit difficult I would cut out a food, or alternatively only eat one kind of food or one meal, for weeks at a time. This was NOT about weight this was about finding something I had power over in my life. It is only now that I have acknowledged what I went through, that I worry about my size and how things fit. What people, I think seem to miss is the fact that like an anxiety disorder, it is a comfort blanket, something to hide behind when life is too hard. It was not me who recognized what was going on. It was my Mom, my boyfriend and my friends. They were the ones that spotted the problem from the outside. Even now, after counseling and long talks with my friends and family there is something inside, small, but still there that doesn't agree with them about my 'problem'. I still cling on to it. Like it made me feel special, belonged to something. This why I think it is ludicrous to announce to the worlds papers that suddenly the girls that have worked there way to make themselves whatever it is that other people want are in a sense being punished. I think that quick remarks like 'size 0, is out' can be just as damaging as 'size 0' is in.

I am, however, in full support of addressing the size-zero debate. I think young girls and teenagers should be looking at girls there own size but I think that the Fashion Chiefs and the designers think that it is a quick solution. This social neurosis has been building for years and is not likely to go away.

Known statistics, for eating disorders are low, about 1 per cent of girls between the ages of ten to twenty have anorexia and 50 per cent of those are likely to develop bulimia. Bulimia is commonly found in older women, women in their twenties and above. It is important to remember that these statistics are only known cases and often cases brought to a doctor. There are thousands of people that have eating disorders, that don't know it, hiding it or just not speaking out about it.

Even culture secretary Tessa Jowell has waded into the debate, making clear her lack of support for anorexic models.” I am delighted that the British Fashion Council... have made it absolutely clear that they intend to take some serious steps to rectify the use of very thin models," she told reporters.

What I find so interesting about this new ' debate' is that it reminds me of something I read once (unfortunately I can't remember where) "It is just this week’s excuse to talk about weight" I think that this is spot on. The issue is not how to get ride of this obsession it is judging, not matter what side you’re on. Judgment is the underlying factor. You're still either too fat or now, suddenly, too thin.

I want to follow this 'debate', this obsession. Please give me your feedback.