Another model dies due to eating disorder

According to news reports, another model has died as a result of an eating disorder. Ana Carolina Reston, a 21 year-old model from Brazil, died "from a generalized infection caused by anorexia". At the time of her death, Reston weighed just 88 pounds; extremely underweight for the 5'8" woman. This is the second death of a model due to eating disorders in recent months.

This news has barely raised a blip in mainstream news. Dying models, apparently, are not worth much to the news world. We are continually turning a blind eye toward these incidents. The fashion industry, where rail thin models are panacea, needs to make changes. By setting the standard of beauty to some unhealthy, unattainable thin stature, the industry is harming women and girls everywhere. Beauty comes in more sizes than Extra Small.

The restrictions on runway models in Madrid, in my opinion, are a good start. The fashion industry is not going to change its ways, it is up to governments and private organizations to force this change. While Madrid's ban is not perfect (models with a BMI under 18, which is still considered underweight, are banned), it is a step in the right direction.

Beauty is more than being a size 2!

Edit: The Telegraph has an article up on their site with more specifics on the model's death. She had apparently subsisted on a diet of apples and tomatoes. Kidney failure finally ended her life.