National Eating Disorders Association Tells Abercrombie & Fitch 'The Emperor Has No Clothes,' Calls for Boycott of Retailer

Online, June 11, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is once again calling for a boycott of fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F).

NEDA and teen activists - who traveled to Columbus in May to meet with A&F executives to discuss their displeasure over its CEO Mike Jeffries' "hurtful and discriminatory" comments (which received widespread negative coverage by the media), the company's exclusionary sizing practices and to ask for change - say their concerns have been ignored.

During the two-hour meeting, the advocacy committee made a number of suggestions, including that A&F reconsider its position on size limitations (including elimination of size zero, which is meaningless and offer sizes larger than 10); expand its clothing line to be more inclusive of teen body types; reduce the blatant sexualization of its ads and expand its choice of models; consider diversity training for employees; and support educational programs for teens in ways to ultimately be a corporate leader on anti-bullying and diversity.

A&F issued a May statement apologizing for the comments and saying that the company looked forward to taking "concrete steps to demonstrate our commitment to anti-bullying in addition to our ongoing support of diversity and inclusion."

Today, A&F announced a national anti-bullying campaign and college scholarship fund. "We are fully committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion - one in which no young person should ever feel intimidated, especially at school, whether for the clothes they wear, or because someone perceives them as different," Jeffries said in a statement released today. An expansion of the company's sizes was not included in this commitment.

Commented NEDA CEO & President Lynn Grefe, "While we most certainly would support a national anti-bullying campaign and scholarships for young people who have been bullied, it makes no sense for such a campaign to be led by a company that apparently will continue to discriminate against young people of diverse sizes. That is certainly its own form of bullying and goes back to how this story all got started. Young people come in all shapes and sizes and being 'cool' is about accepting who you are. Making young people feel excluded is not smart marketing. An anti-bullying campaign by A&F is an oxymoron. We are disappointed."

Said NEDA's Proud2Bme youth program teen ambassador Benjamin O'Keefe, 18, an actor and author of a Change.org petition against A&F, which has garnered more than 75,000 signatures to date, "When I was bullied to the point where I nearly committed suicide, it wasn't until I took a major stand that things began to change. I realized that I was worth it and decided to prove it to anyone who disagreed-in a BIG way! One month ago, I started a petition on Change.org to stand up against something I felt was wrong. In that month, tens of thousands of people from around the world have joined me in solidarity to lend their voices to the fight. The actions of Abercrombie & Fitch and its CEO Mike Jeffries outraged millions and inspired a movement. The company lacks diversity and inclusion and discriminates against a major portion of its consumer base. We were clear in our demands: Make products for and embrace consumers of all sizes. The battle against bullying is an imperative one, but by refusing to make larger sizes, they are failing to see that they are still being the bullies on the playground."

The furor was in response to Jeffries revealing in an interview that A&F does not offer clothing above size 10 to purposely keep what he considers to be plus-sized women and men out of its stores and that the brand targets only "thin and beautiful" consumers. "We don't market to anyone other than that. A lot of people don't belong [in our clothes] and they can't belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely."

Across the country - believing that such comments and practices foster an environment of bullying and discrimination - outraged consumers have written letters to A&F, packed up clothing in their closets to mail back to the chain's corporate headquarters and protested at local storefronts in their hometowns. High-profile print and broadcast media outlets from coast to coast have joined the fray and online campaigns have been waged calling for a boycott of the brand.

Studies have shown that the unrealistic, ideal body images portrayed by the fashion industry, in the media and in advertising contribute to poor self-esteem and are triggers among those who are already vulnerable for developing eating disorders. In the U.S., 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. Anorexia nervosa has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness.

Attending the May 21 meeting in Ohio with A&F executives were Grefe; O'Keefe; America the Beautiful filmmaker/documentarian and teen empowerment activist Darryl Roberts; teen activist Cali Linstrom,17, Chicago; Michael Levine, Ph.D., an eating disorders prevention expert, professor emeritus of psychology at Ohio's Kenyon College and an original founder of NEDA; and Sarah Murnen, Ph.D., a junior professor of psychology at Kenyon College, who studies gender-related issues from a feminist, socio-cultural perspective.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), headquartered in New York City, is the leading U.S. non-profit organization supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. Each year, NEDA helps millions of people across the country find information and appropriate treatment resources through its toll-free, live helpline, its many outreach programs and website. NEDA advocates for advancements in the field and envisions a world without eating disorders. For more information, visit www.MyNEDA.org

Proud2Bme is NEDA's interactive website for teens and young adults. Launched in October 2011 and sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase and the Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation, Proud2Bme is committed to serving as a forum for young people to discuss and receive support regarding body image, self-esteem and eating disorders. The site features articles about topics ranging from fashion and beauty to news and entertainment, while promoting self-confidence and positive body image. Proud2Bme also aims to empower young people to become advocates for self-esteem and activists against bodysnarking and negative media messages. Visit proud2Bme.org to join our community!

For Treatment Referrals, Visit www.MyNEDA.org
Or Contact NEDA's Live Helpline: 800-931-2237
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST)

Contacts:

Greenleaf & Associates - 323-660-5800
Vicki Greenleaf - [email protected]
Kelly Williams - [email protected]