London Runway Models Need Doctor's OK To Walk Amid Report That 40 Percent Have Eating Disorder

Catwalk models at London fashion week will have to show a doctor's certificate proving they are physically and psychologically well enough to work, under proposals published yesterday. Models who are found to have eating disorders may still be given the certificate if they are receiving treatment.

The model health inquiry, which made public its findings and recommendations on the eve of the official launch of London fashion week, estimated that up to 40% of models are suffering from eating disorders. It paints a disturbing picture of the industry, with 56% of models consulted believing it pushes people towards being unhealthily thin, 75% considering there to be a "significant problem" of anorexia and bulimia in their profession, and 67% seeing a trend toward thinner models in the last five years.

Read more on The Guardian (U.K.)