The INSIDER Summary:
- An Amazon vendor is selling an "anorexia" sweatshirt.
- People are outraged.
- The sweatshirt has been available since 2015.
- Amazon has not taken the item down, despite multiple complaints over the years.
- Now, people want Amazon to remove the sweatshirt as well as other pieces of apparel that glamorize eating disorders.
People are outraged that Amazon allows a vendor to sell an "anorexia" sweatshirt,
The hoodie, which we first spotted on Yahoo Style, features a faux definition of anorexia in pink writing: "Anorexia: Like Bulimia, except with self control."
The $25.88 "Anorexia Styling Hoody Women Cotton For Black" is sold by the vendor, AutoBurch, which also sells shirts with messages like "Flip Cup Champion" and "Bros Before Hoes."
While the latter shirts come in more than one size, it's worth noting that "anorexia" hoodie is only available currently in size XL.
Although, at the time of this story, the product has 70 reviews and an average rating of 1.5 stars, it's unclear if anyone has actually purchased the sweatshirt. It appears that most of the reviews are not from people who have bought the shirt, but rather from people who simply disagree with its message.
"So disgusting. There is a special place in hell for people like you who profit off of young girls dying of eating disorders," one reviewer wrote.
"This is in poor taste. Anorexia is a serious disorder that should not be trivialised [sic] on tasteless merchandise like this," another person wrote.
Only two of the reviews could be considered positive. Both reviewers said they support the shirt on the principle that Amazon and AutoBurch have a right to free speech. "I support free speech. Even if I don't like what it has to say," one reviewer said.
Still, reactions to this sweatshirt have been largely negative — especially on Twitter.
.@amazon Please remove this #anorexia 'hoody' item from sale. #eatingdisorders kill. It is not a joking matter https://t.co/Cf0ZNMqT8Gpic.twitter.com/CKQdDE8shg
— Dr Andy Mayers FRSA (@DrAndyMayers) September 29, 2017
Well bulemia is a very dangerous condition - and - having had both, Anorexia is *not* like bukemia with self control.
— moonatmidnight (@moonatmidnight) September 30, 2017The sweatshirt has become infamous online since it was posted in the body-positive Facebook group, Free to be OK with me on September 30. However, this is hardly a new problem.
One Twitter user pointed out that the shirt has been on the market since 2015.
Dear @AmazonHelp@amazon@AmazonUK you have been asked since 2015 to remove this item from sale. Anorexia kills. Wtf. #BoycottingAmazonhttps://t.co/dCoboe9eEo
— Kelly💚 (@Meraki79) September 30, 2017The ordeal has opened up a larger discussion about vendors selling problematic clothing on Amazon. As it turns out, several pieces of "pro-anorexia" and "pro-bulimia" apparel are included in Amazon's novelty clothing section, which supposedly highlights "humorous" apparel.
Amazon did not immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment about the merchandise.
Thank you for sharing this,Andy. Very concerning. They also have a 'humour' range of large 'I beat Anorexia' tshirts & even a baby bib... pic.twitter.com/A3WyezXchZ
— CaoilfhionnGallagher (@caoilfhionnanna) September 30, 2017According to National Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, eating disorders are the deadliest mental illness. The organization cited various studies between 2007 and 2017 that suggest a person dies every 62 minutes from an eating disorder, though it's unclear if this information is US-specific. The same organization also reported that over 30 million people in the US suffer from eating disorders.
If you or someone you know suffers from an eating disorder, reach out to the National Eating Disorder Association by calling 1-800-931-2237 or emailing info@NationalEatingDisorders.org.
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