Agency boss causes anger over fat Irish model remark

Body image: Suggestions that Irish models are too fat could trigger eating disorders in vulnerable teenagers, the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, Bodywhys, has said.

Promoting "unrealistic body types" such as women who are 6 feet tall, but only a size six or eight in clothes, leads to body dissatisfaction and could activate an eating disorder in people already struggling with their self esteem, Bodywhys' chief executive, Jennie O'Reilly, said.

Ms O'Reilly's comments came after the head of one of the world's leading model agencies said Irish models were unsuccessful internationally because they didn't control their weight.

Katie Ford of Ford Models said Irish girls didn't take care of their bodies, didn't exercise enough and drank too much. "Beer is a killer in terms of weight. It's one of the things holding back Irish girls."

Ms Ford made her remarks in an interview to be published in the February issue of Prudence magazine.

Despite her leading position within the fashion world, Ms Ford's views seemed "at odds" with the wider beauty industry, Ms O'Reilly said.

"There is a move towards more diverse body images. These comments seem to be at odds with what's happening with global brands that are trying to portray a more realistic body type."

While teenagers were now aware of the influence the media has on how they perceive themselves, there were still many vulnerable people who link happiness with having a 'perfect' model-type body.

"An increasing incidence of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders is related to media presentations of unrealistic images of male and female body shapes. For example, the prevailing media image of the ideal female body is thin, tall and long legged. There is a pervasive belief among women that you need to fit this 'ideal' to be successful and desirable," she said.

Bodywhys often dealt with the fallout when girls engaged in unhealthy eating practices in an attempt to "copy" models, Ms O'Reilly said. "What makes Ms Ford's comments so worrying is that they are aimed at people who want to move into the modelling industry and it's telling them that if they want to get work, they have to be very very thin."

Irish models have also reacted angrily to Ms Ford's comments.

Former Miss Ireland Amanda Brunker said the great prevalence of eating disorders meant that Ms Ford was promoting a dangerous ideal.

"Every other week in the glossy magazines, we're looking at Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, big actresses; they are role models. Now, one of the Olsen twins is suffering with anorexia. Even Sharon Osbourne is coming out now and saying she's battling with bulimia... It's nearly cool to have an eating disorder." Ms Bunker was speaking on RTE's Marian Finucane Show yesterday.

Irish model agent Celia Holman Lee said she was surprised by Ms Ford's comments. Irish models were extremely professional and many had broken through internationally, she said. Ms Ford's remarks may have been "off the cuff", she said. "She can't have thought this one through."