This is unlike any skinny jeans or wedge heel fad. Aping ramp and TV beauties has transformed from an external obsession to a full-fledged psychological-cum-physiological issue. Desi fertility experts are already complaining of receiving women, who in their attempt to turn Size Zero, have turned infertile.

In the West, stores like Miss Selfridge and Top Shop are stocking in more clothes of Size Zero in order to meet rising demands, and restaurants are whipping up special menus for those in quest for "skinny" beauty. We get health experts to give you the skinny on the obsession, that's costing women their ability to conceive.


What you eat affects your fertility

Nutritionist Naini Setalvad explains

Processed foods like white sugar and white flour are directly related to fertility. When the body has an insulin excess, it prohibits ovulation. Going organic rather than dieting, is the apt way to maintain fertility. Fried foods are best avoided.

When you are on a low-carb diet, your body loses out on the energy-producing Vitamin B. Vitamins and minerals are needed for a healthy existence, and to conceive. Body fat is needed for hormone production, functioning of the thyroid glands, and for a smooth digestive system. A balanced diet is the key to maintaining fertility.


How do you know if you are Size Zero?
Size Zero is a woman's clothing size as per the US system, equivalent to a UK Size 4.
Size Zero women have a waist of 22-23 inches, a 32 inch bust, and 33-34 inch hips — the average girth of an 8-year-old girl.

Their Body Mass Index (BMI) is less than 18 kg/m2. Body mass index is calculated by dividing an individual's body weight by the square of
their height.

What is Size Double Zero?
This size is for those who have already managed to fit into a Size Zero, but continue to diet with their friends. Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria can squish into a Size Double Zero!


Size Zero = infertility, say two fertility experts

In your quest for model looks, you are fiddling with your fertility

Dr Shivani Sachdeva Gour, Fertility Expert, Fortis La Femme and Phoenix Hospitals, New Delhi

When the BMI falls below 18 kg/m2, the body switches into a mode known as Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. This takes place when the hypothalamus in your brain sends specific signals (FSH and LH) to the ovaries via the blood stream, which in turn suppress ovulation. When ovulation is suppressed by the ovaries, the woman fails to release an egg every month, reducing chances of pregnancy.

Case study: "From airhostesses, who need to lose weight for professional reasons, to wealthy housewives and aspiring models, I am treating four Size Zero patients right now. They are all suffering from irregular menstrual cycles. In the UK, where I worked earlier, Size Zero victims were even more common," says Dr Sachdeva.

The treatment: After an intensive counselling session, they begin eating and gaining weight. Even then, there is 50-50 chance that they will not suffer from long term menstrual cycle disturbances.


Anorexic women have less cholesterol in their body the building block for hormonal production

Dr Duru Shah, fertility specialist and gynaecologist at Gynaec World

Women who ovulate every month have 12 chances in a year to get pregnant, as opposed to those women who get their period only 3-4 times a year. Underweight women suffering from anorexia and bulimia, with a BMI of less than 18 kg/m2, have low oestrogen levels, due to lack of cholesterol in their bodies.

Cholesterol is the building block for hormonal production. Low hormonal growth automatically leads to irregular periods, and chances of conception are therefore reduced.

Case study: "A young girl who used to suffer from bulimia, which advanced to anorexia nervosa, had stopped menstruating . She was already a Size Zero, and wanted to lose more weight," says Dr Shah.