Dr. David Herzog, an authority in eating disorders at Harvard Medical School, holds an annual public forum to address issues around eating disorders and reduce their stigma. The 2010 forum focused on eating disorders in the fashion industry. Representatives from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and designers Michael Kors and Natalie Vodianova spoke about the industry's role and their personal experiences. Kors believes early exposure in modeling can lead to body insecurity and eating disorders, while Vodianova overcame anorexia through psychotherapy. The forum aimed to educate the public and implement guidelines to prevent eating disorders.

1. Annual Public Forum Held to Address Eating Disorders!
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Dr. David Herzog is a widely accepted authority in eating disorders. He serves as Emeritus
Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Herzog founded several endeavors towards
researching and spreading news on eating disorders, including the Eating Disorders Unit at
Massachusetts General Hospital—otherwise known as MGH, the Harvard Eating Disorders
Center and the Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders, also located at
MGH. !
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In addition to this, Herzog holds a public
forum to address the issues involved in those
who struggle with eating disorders annually.
These forums are meant to encourage
discussion and reduce society’s stigma
against the disorders.!
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According to a post completed for his blog,
the forum held in 2010 centered on the
development of eating disorders in the
fashion industry. Three authorities from the
industry were in attendance to address the
one thousand guests. First, Anne Wintour
spoke on the Council of Fashion Designers of
America’s Health Initiative. The initiative was
created in 2007 and has sought to educate
all of those involved in the industry on the
warning signs and treatments of various
eating disorders. !
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The Health Initiative has also implemented guidelines, which ban the use of alcohol or tobacco
backstage and have set minimum age requirements for models.!
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Speaking further on the issue of age, Michael Kors, a prominent American fashion designer,
took the spotlight next to speak on his personal refusal to work with models younger than
sixteen. Kors believes that a large portion of the rampant eating disorders seen in the fashion
industry can be attributed to models who started work in the competitive field far too young; the
competition seems to ingrain in them that their bodies aren’t “right,” for the career and eating
disorders are engaged in as an alternative.!
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Furthering this issue, Russian model Natalie Vodianova spoke next, to detail her experiences
with insecurities about her body image, which led her to become anorexic in 2002. She also
spoke of her ability to overcome the disorder through the role of psychotherapy in her recovery.
Her continuation in the career of modeling and her conquering the trials and tribulations of body
image was an inspiration to all who attended the forum.