A indústria da moda e a presença de transtornos alimentares em modelos: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract

The fashion industry shapes the social perception of bodies. Models often subject their bodies to strict aesthetic standards, adopting disordered eating behaviors that can cause eating disorders (EDs), which makes it essential to better understand this reality in this professional group. The present study aimed to review the relationship between the fashion industry and its factors that contribute to the development of EDs in models. A scoping review was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR criteria, including articles on the influence of the fashion industry on EDs in models, published between 2015 and 2025, in English, Portuguese or Spanish, available in the following databases: PubMed, Scielo, Periódicos - CAPES, and Google Scholar. Two hundred and twenty seven studies were identified and after applying all eligible criteria, 12 articles were qualitatively analyzed. These were mostly conducted in Europe, especially in Hungary, the United Kingdom, Romania and Italy, in addition to one study conducted in Mexico. The samples were mostly composed of female models, aged between 15 and 37 years, and only one study addressed male models. The majority of studies were quantitative, cross-sectional, in addition to qualitative studies and a systematic review. Most of the studies investigated symptoms related to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and orthorexia nervosa, in addition to risky eating behaviors, such as eating restriction, binge eating, use of laxatives, diuretics and self- induced vomiting. Psychosocial factors were also analyzed, such as stress, body dissatisfaction and the strong aesthetic pressure of the fashion industry, indicated as a risk factor for the development of EDs among models. The study revealed that models, although they do not have a higher prevalence of EDs compared to the general population, are more exposed to subclinical symptoms and extreme weight control behaviors due to the aesthetic demands imposed by the fashion industry. Strategies should be implemented to prevent the development of EDs in models, including monitoring of subclinical symptoms and interprofessional attendance.