Some would try to put the blame on ultra-thin models in fashion magazines. However, I don't think any of the women I've discussed believed that being morbidly skinny would make them beautiful. In fact, I think most of these women have very healthy self-esteem and genuinely feel good about themselves. They've just had it drilled into their heads that thin equals healthy.

I'm not trying to say that there's anything wrong with wanting to live a long and healthy life. I would probably classify myself as a bit of a health nut. And I will happily accept that most of these lovely ladies were joking when they said they wanted to go on the SAG diet. But I think it's very telling that this group of diverse, intelligent, beautiful women all seemed strangely attracted to the weight-loss possibilities inherent in a long-term illness. It's one thing to try and stay fit; hoping to boost your longevity through infectious disease is another thing altogether.