Size zero and its side effects

As a new research reveals the side effects of size zero, we find out if it's still a fad followed by many... For those of you who want to dump your curves and crave to be a size zero, here is a warning. A new research done by a foreign university reiterates something you guessed before: girls dieting to be size zero could be risking their bones to long-term problems such as osteoporosis. The research conducted on 4,000 young girls, shows that fat mass plays an important role in building bones. Recent research conducted by a London based college, also found that constant images of reed-thin, size-zero models, pop stars and actresses fuelled a rise in eating disorders amongst young women. In India, Bollywood hottie Kareena Kapoor sparked the craze for size zero after she reportedly lost eight kilos to acquire a bikini body for Tashan in 2007. While celebs like her can take pride in setting a trend, for young followers there could be health hazards. Building strong bones is particularly important for women, as they are three times more likely to develop osteoporosis and suffer up to three times more hip fractures than men. Actress Gul Panag points out, "Size zero has sparked low self-esteem issues, resulting in bulimia, anorexia and body dysmorphic disorders. Looking thin is like being a poster girl for sickness and bad health. I believe it's more important to be fit than be thin and look sick." Former Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan agrees with Gul."The term size zero is a gimmick to sell certain products in the market." Fitness experts point out that size zero is unhealthy and not many are aware of what it really implies. "Size zero refers to maintaining a slim figure. Do the right kind of exercises under the guidance of a certified trainer and have the right kind of food that can help you acquire a slim figure. Simply aping superstars and trying to be a size zero is something no sensible person will support," concludes fitness expert Dinaz Vervatwala. Unhealthy fad In early 2006, Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, 21, died of anorexia on the eve of a Paris photoshoot after living on a diet of apples and tomatoes The death of Uruguayan model Luisel Ramos at the Uruguay Fashion Week in 2006 led to the ban on size zero girls parading at the Madrid fashion shows. Luisel's father claimed that she had been fasting for days. The already skinny 22-year-old had been informed by her model agency that she could "make it big" if she lost a significant amount of weight. She collapsed while going for a final costume change and died despite the efforts of an emergency team trying to resuscitate her. Six months later, Luisel's sister, 18-year-old model Eliana was found dead in her bedroom. Primary diagnosis revealed that it was death due to symptoms of malnutrition. When Kate Moss first hit the modelling scene, she was compared to Twiggy for her skinny frame. Not long after followed the accusations that she was anorexic. Actress Nicole Richie was reported to have collapsed on set. Citing dehydration, she has tried in vain to quench rumours that she suffered from malnutrition.