Size 0: An Impossible Cultural Ideal? Isabelle Caro, a famous French fashion model, died in 2010 after a decade-long struggle with anorexia. After the anorexia-related deaths of Caro and a Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston, France, Germany, and Spain proposed bans on ultra-thin models. But despite periodic outcries, the emaciated, skin-and-bones look continues to be the fashion industry norm. Eating disorders are most prevalent in developed, Western countries, where a slender body is the cultural ideal, especially for women and girls. Many psychologists believe that such unrealistic body expectations contribute to eating disorders (Hawkins & others, 2004; Treasure & others, 2008).

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