Brazilian Model Dies Of Anorexia

(AP)  A 21-year-old anorexic model who weighed only 88 pounds has died of generalized infection, a hospital said.

Ana Carolina Reston, who had worked in China, Turkey, Mexico and Japan for several modeling agencies, died Tuesday, according to Sao Paulo's Servidor Publico Hospital.

The hospital said the infection that killed the 5-foot-8-inch model was caused by anorexia nervosa, a disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, an aversion to food and severe weight loss.

"Take care for your children because their loss is irreparable," Reston's mother, Miriam, told the O Globo newspaper. "Nothing can make the pain go away. No money in the world is worth the life of your child."

Reston began her modeling career at the age of 13 after winning a local beauty contest in her hometown of Jundiai, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo.

"I noticed something was wrong when she returned from Japan," Miriam told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. "She was too thin when she returned and when I told her to eat something, she would say: 'Mom please don't fight with me; there is nothing wrong with me, I'm fine.' "

The model's cousin, Dani Grimaldi, told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that Reston also battled bulimia, an eating disorder marked by binge eating that is followed by vomiting or the use of laxatives.

The world of high fashion and modeling has long been targeted by critics who say it encourages women and girls to emulate rail-thin models.

In September, a Spanish fashion show responded to such criticism by banning models with a body mass index of less than 18. Body mass index is a calculation doctors normally apply to study obesity, and anyone with an index below 18.5 is considered underweight.

Reston would have had a body mass index of 13.4 at the time of her death, according to a calculator on the Web site of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[y4356578456]

Why doesn't everyone stop trying to make an example out of this poor girl or turn her into a "wake up call" and show a little respect for someone who just died. I know that anorexia is not the answer, but have a little compassion people.

[stephanie801]

Thanks to all the men out there that appreciate a woman for who she is!
I wouldn't like my man all skin and bones. What would I hug? How would you cuddle?
It's ok to have curves. It is NOT ok to be unhealthy - whether it be because you are WAY TOO over-weight or WAY TOO under-weight.
Appreciate you for who you are!

[elgraz]

What a shame for someone so young to die because of the Model Industry pressures put on models. Spain has the right idea. Let's let women be women not scarescrows who cannot enjoy their careers and life. Maybe this will be a wake up call but don't bet on it.

[sirsparky]

Pity. If she'd only lost five more pounds she would have been perfect!

Wake up people! Food is good!

Let's hear it for the fat chick out there!

[olebd]

I could never understand how Kate Moss became a "super" model. Much too thin and kind of always reminded me of Mick Jagger in the face. Just my opinion though. Jessica Alba.....now THERE is a fine example of a woman.

[shafteriffic]

This girl should of been a modle for sick diseased people. She looks terrible as do almost all models. They all seem to look better after they stop modeling, and get to a normal weight. It's okay for a woman to have a little extra, but not enough is very unappealing (I.E. Nicole Ritchie). Women should have round curves and not look like flat ironing boards. They need the weight to give them some shape. Every man likes a bangin' body! Booyaaah!