Gisele Bundchen Doesn’t Know Squat About Genetics
What does supermodel Gisele Bundchen know about anorexia? Apparently not an awful lot. Researchers are slamming her for saying:
I never suffered from this problem (anorexia) because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry.
Everybody knows that the norm in fashion is thin. But excuse me, there are people born with the right genes for this profession.
I won’t insult all supermodels by saying what genes I think are “right” for their profession, but I have to say that Ms. Bundchen needs to apologize for insulting families who have children with anorexia.
Studies have shown that there is a strong genetic component to anorexia. As much as 50 to 80 percent of anorexia and bulimia may be due to genetic influence. A group of investigators worldwide are working to understand the genetics of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Does Ms. Bundchen think they’re wasting their time?
Dr. Allan S. Kaplan, Loretta Anne Rogers Chair in Eating Disorders at the University of Toronto:
An uninformed opinion such as Bundchen’s causes harm on a number of levels. By contributing to the stigma, it drives sufferers underground and creates obstacles to seeking help. It damages attempts at advocacy and hurts parents who are desperately fighting for their child’s recovery.
Such thinking also misinforms third party payors who may not want to pay for the treatment of these biologically-based illnesses if they think its primary cause is family dysfunction.
If only we were a society that didn’t place such great importance on the nonsensical utterings of celebrities. Time to call the folks at Sense About Science. They’re working to promote good science and evidence for the public and won’t stand for its misrepresentation. They will even help anyone in the public eye formulate an educated opinion on science. In fact, they ought to offer their services to Ms. Bundchen.
NB: You may also be interested in reading my other post on the current fad of super-skinny women – Skinny or Not, Celebrity Women are Still Women.
Scientific American, January 25, 2007
Tags: anorexia, gisele bundchen, supermodels, celebrities, genetics, genes, dna, diseases, illness, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
I really, really hate it when celebrities pawn themselves off as medical experts and make, essentially, public health pronouncements for the whole world. Britney Spears promoting c-section at maternal request. Katie Couric inviting everyone to watch her colonoscopy (I mean, ew).
Of course, it’s equally silly that people choose to listen to them, but that’s another story.
Giselle is exactly right! There are some girls with the genes to be naturally skinny without having to do anything. And that, coupled with being tall and pretty, can make you a model! I agree that family has A LOT to do with eating disorders as well as genetics. You can’t blame the fashion industry! That’s like blaming lyrics for someone committing suicide!!!
Emily: I think celebs can do a lot of good but a lot of harm as well.
Pinkgirl: Thanks for the comment! You have a point and while I don’t think the fashion industry is a direct cause of all cases of anorexia, they do pressure models and other celebrities to be thin to the point of disease. As for music, there are people who believe it should be regulated and an Entertainment Ratings System exists to do so. We may disagree on its effectiveness, but people are concerned about it.
dont be mean to gisele. there are so many other people who have made the same comment so i don’t understand why she needs to be singled out..
she’s right about genes too. and sometimes a family’s instabilities can be a cause for anorexia.
i also don’t think she meant that ALLLLLL parents with anorexic children should be blamed for it.