The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee author slams anorexia top on Amazon
Campaigners say hoodie pokes fun at mental illness
One of the world’s leading online retailers has been slammed for selling clothing which campaigners say “pokes fun” at mental illness.
Amazon has been criticised by activists and medical experts for offering a hoodie emblazoned with: “Anorexia: Like Bulimia, except with self control”.
Furious critics called for the immediate removal of the hoodie, which is being sold through amazon.com rather than the UK site.
Dundee-based author and anorexia sufferer Tina McGuff said she is “horrified” an international retailer could take such a stance towards a serious mental health condition.
Tina, author of book Seconds to Snap, said: “I was horrified to see this hoodie for sale as anorexia is a very serious illness with the highest mortality rate of all the mental illnesses.
“It would be unacceptable to poke fun at other life-limiting illness, so why is this any different and why would any company feel there would be a market for items like this?
“It’s hard to imagine anyone giving this the green light. I would love to have a chat with this person.”
Dr Susie Orbach, a psychotherapist and expert on anorexia, said selling the hoodie was “terribly irresponsible”.
Customers have also criticised the garment.
One reviewer wrote: “This is so wrong on so many levels. I almost died from anorexia. Amazon should be ashamed of themselves.”
Amazon say the hoodie has never been on sale within the UK.
They declined to comment further.