American and British Celebrities with Eating Disorders

According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, nearly 8 million Americans have an eating disorder, a debilitating mental illness that causes people to develop dangerous eating habits to control their weight. The rise of too-thin models and celebrities gave more attention to this eating disorder epidemic, although the media still portrays it as a vain, self-centered illness.

The following American and British celebrities have had an eating disorder, ranging from anorexia nervosa to bulimia nervosa.

American and British Celebrities with Eating Disorders

Mary-Kate Olsen: Her rise to fame occurred when she was just a baby in the TV sitcom Full House. Mary-Kate and her sister Ashley continued to produce movies up until they turned 18, where Mary-Kate pursued a fashion career. Her suspected eating disorder-anorexia nervosa-began at age 17, when paparazzi snapped pictures of her protruding spine and ribcage. She reportedly entered rehab for anorexia and drug abuse a year later.

Katherine McPhee: An American celebrity best known for being on American Idol, her stint on the famous American reality show inspired her to seek help. She enrolled in an eating disorder program to treat her six year battle with bulimia nervosa after being accepted into the contest.

Sharon Osbourne: Celebrity wife of heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, she reportedly suffered from the eating disorder bulimia nervosa for 35 years before undergoing bariatric surgery. According to CustomizedGirl.com, she may still be bulimic-in 2004 she said the operation did not stop her purging episodes.

Victoria Beckham: British celebrity and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has admitted on several occasions she previously had severe dieting issues, and suggested she may have had an eating disorder. Although she has not confirmed if she suffers from it today, she still appears underweight.

Fiona Apple: An American singer who rose to fame for her controversial video "Criminal", she later admitted her extreme thinness was because of an eating disorder. She became anorexic after being raped at age 12. She recovered several years later and now sports a healthier, fuller physique.

Kate Beckinsale: British actress Kate Beckinsale admitted suffering from anorexia nervosa as a teenager, triggered by her father's death and being forced to live with the family of her mother's partner. She recovered after several years of therapy.

Portia di Rossi: An American celebrity know for her roles in Arrested Development and Ally McBeal, she suffered from an eating disorder during her acting career, shrinking her statuesque 5'8'' frame to 82 pounds. Paparazzi photos which surfaced at that time sparked numerous rumors about her weight issues. She eventually recovered with the help of her partner Ellen DeGeneres.

Amy Winehouse: The stick-thin British singer and songwriter boasted a thin, curvy frame when she first became a celebrity, but her weight soon dwindled. According to Caring Online, she reportedly suffered from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, worsened by a drug addiction. She still appears troubled today.

For more information about American and British celebrities who have eating disorders, visit Caring Online.

Sources:
"Eating Disorder Statistics" (state.sc.us)
"15 Celebrity Eating Disorders that Make You Want to Vomit" (customizedgirl.com)
"Eating Disorder News: Celebrities" (caringonline.com)