French model Isabelle Caro shocked the world with her gaunt, Anorexia-ravaged body in an Italian eating disorder awareness campaign. Now, the promising young advocate is dead, likely thanks to complications from her battle. What can be done to help stop this eating disorder epidemic?
French model Isabelle Caro became the unofficial “face” of anorexia when she posed for a shocking Italian “No Anorexia” ad campaign about the disease. Now, the 28-year-old model is a victim of the disease she fought so hard to ovecome.
Isabelle Caro: Anorexic at 62 lbs.
Caro battle with Anorexia began at 13 because of what she calls a “troubled childhood.” Her modeling only helped increase the problem – her weight sank to 55 lbs. at one point, putting her into a coma. She managed to survive, but never weighed more than 73 lbs.
Isabelle Caro’s “No Anorexia” ad campaign photos (NSFW) >>>
Unlike many with eating disorders, Caro knew that her disease would eventually kill her if she didn’t try to overcome it. She participated in the “No Anorexia” campaign and appeared on TV shows like Jessica Simpson‘s Price of Beauty to try and help others avoid the same fate. She told Simpson on the show that she was trying to push a law banning ultra-thin models from working if they go below a certain weight.
Caro’s death: (Another) wake-up call
Caro passed away on Nov. 17 in Tokyo after suffering from an acute respiratory illness, though her true cause of death is unknown. It’s likely she could have survived the disease if she was healthy, but her anorexia weakened her body and immune system beyond repair.
The sad thing about this whole situation – other than Caro’s untimely death – is that little or nothing will change in the fashion industry. Recent model deaths relating to eating disorders has done little, if anything, to curb the problem – models are still photoshopped in magazines, told to lose more and more weight and the result is an unattainable “ideal” that young girls try to emulate.
Weigh-in: What should be done to help reduce the number of people — especially teens — with eating disorders? What do you say to your teens about diet?
More on eating disorders
Orthorexia: Healthy eating may be hazardous to your health
Eating disorders and pregnancy
Why do you still feel fat after losing weight?
More Stories from Parenting
Leave a Comment