Tennis legend: ‘Stop following my anorexic daughter on Instagram’

Years ago, it was his incredible on-court feats that had 42-year-old tennis great Yevgeny Kafelnikov making headlines, but now it’s his teenage daughter, Alesya.

Speaking to Russian website Paparazzi, Kafelnikov expressed serious concern for his 17-year-old daughter’s health, saying that her desire to become a successful model had lead her down a dark path, with social media playing a major part in her dramatic weight loss.

“This is real anorexia,” he said. “Alesya has 14-year-old followers on Instagram who have no brain and support her for losing weight. She should not be listening to these idiots.”

Following a move to Paris and a signing with major modeling agency Elite London, it is reported that Alesya’s weight has plummeted to a mere 45 kilos.

“Last year when she weighed [more], I was happy,” Kafelnikov said. “She was so pretty and finally started looking like a woman. And what is happening now? I am strictly against such a radical weight loss. Unfortunately, she doesn’t listen to me.”

Even more troublingly, Alesya has reportedly said that getting better is not an option, because if she does she will no longer be able to work as a professional model.

Like many Instagrammers her feed is filled with selfies, but it’s the comments from her 213,000 followers that are seriously concerning. To read more click here.

Nearly one million Australians are sufferers of an eating disorder and it is the 3rd most common chronic illness in young females.

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate than any other mental health disorder and the risk of premature death from an eating disorder is 6-12 times higher than the general population.

The prevalence of eating disorders is also increasing amongst boys and men (10%).

So how can we inspire behavioural change in Australia and turn these statistics around? This is exactly why mental health care professionals are coming together for the 3rd Annual Australian and New Zealand Eating Disorders and Obesity Conference; inspiring behavioural change.

GPs, psychologists, academics, counsellors, clinicians, dieticians and nutritionists will be attending the conference to learn practical solutions to inspire behavioural change using new tools and attend workshops hosted by optimistic, action orientated leaders in their field to bring about inspiring positive change. To register for the conference CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to view the ‘World Class’ Conference Program