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New Netflix series To The Bone accused of glamorising eating disorders

After causing an uproar with the release of a controversial suicide drama, Netflix is once again under fire for its latest offering, a movie about anorexia.

Psychiatrists claim it glamorises the eating disorder, warning it could be triggering, distressing and damaging for vulnerable young viewers.

To The Bone has hit a nerve with health professionals.

Starring Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves, the film follows the life of a 20 year old suffering from anorexia.

The film stars Lily Collins as a girl suffering from anorexia. Source: 7 News/Netflix
The film stars Lily Collins as a girl suffering from anorexia. Source: 7 News/Netflix
To The Bone stars Keanu Reeves as the girl's doctor. Source: 7 News/Netflix
To The Bone stars Keanu Reeves as the girl's doctor. Source: 7 News/Netflix

"I think that when the producers made this program, they wanted to make a positive program, but I think unless you think through all of the issues you sometimes can do more harm than good," said Dr Sloane Madden from the Westmead Eating Disorder Clinic.

The eating disorder clinic doctor warns that such shows can lead to copycat behaviour from at-risk individuals.

"The actress that is playing the eating disorder in this program becomes sort of an aspirational figure," Dr Madden said.

There are concerns Lily Collins' character may become an aspirational figure for some at-risk individuals. Source: 7 News/Netflix
There are concerns Lily Collins' character may become an aspirational figure for some at-risk individuals. Source: 7 News/Netflix

"The actress is painfully underweight."

While rarely spoken about, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

Of the one in 20 young women who suffer, 10 per cent do not survive.

"It's important to note that it's an extremely serious condition, it's a difficult condition to manage," AMA vice president Tony Bartone said.

"It affects a significant proportion of our society."

Ten per cent of women with anorexia do not survive the illness. Source: 7 News/Netflix
Ten per cent of women with anorexia do not survive the illness. Source: 7 News/Netflix

Netflix did not respond to questions about the program today but is expected to release the film in Australia early next month.