AN 86-year-old woman has the smallest waist in the world after wearing a corset 23 hours a day.
Although they were an extremely common fashion accessory in the past, corsets are rarely seen in the modern day due to the extreme discomfort they can cause.
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Many women who still long for an hourglass figure now choose to use a personal trainer or have cosmetic procedures to achieve their desired shape.
However, Cathie Jung has followed the traditional method for over 60 years and only takes off her underwear to shower.
Cathie, from the USA, has held the Guinness World Record for smallest waistline for over 20 years, since the age of 62.
She was just 18 when she tried on a corset for the first time, and at 30, she chose to wear it full time.
Cathie is obsessed with Victorian style clothing, hence her desire to wear a corset.
She has to wear customized clothes, to fit her unique body.
Explaining why she started wearing corsets, Cathie said: “If you’re going to wear a Victorian dress and look appropriate, you need to wear the right underwear.
Revealing that she never intended to have the smallest waist in the world, she added: “When it came time to buy a new [corset]it was natural for one to be a little smaller.
“It wasn’t my goal to get smaller or smaller; it was just a natural occurrence.”
Cathie’s waist was originally 26 inches, but it shrank to 21 inches over the years.
She admitted that she chooses to sleep with a corset “for the sake of convenience.”
She said: “If I had said I would get up in the morning and put my corset on straight away, it could have been 5pm and I wouldn’t have got there.”
Cathie doesn’t follow a specific diet or exercise routine to maintain her slim figure and instead avoids foods that cause bloating.
She said the corset did not affect her health, but added “it moves her organs to a slightly different area.”
What are the dangers of wearing corsets?
Wearing corsets, a fashion practice that dates back centuries, can pose significant medical risks despite their aesthetic appeal. One of the main concerns is the potential for damage to internal organs. Corsets, especially when tied tightly, can compress the ribs and put pressure on internal organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines. This compression can lead to displacement and deformation of these organs, which can cause digestive problems, reduced lung capacity and compromised circulation.
Breathing difficulties are another serious risk associated with corset use. Constriction of the rib cage can limit expansion of the lungs, leading to shallow breathing and decreased oxygen intake. Over time, this can result in breathing problems and reduced stamina. In extreme cases, prolonged use of tightly laced corsets can lead to conditions such as atelectasis, where parts of the lungs collapse due to inadequate ventilation.
Additionally, corsets can affect the musculoskeletal system. The constant pressure and altered posture imposed by a corset can weaken core muscles, leading to muscle atrophy and decreased strength. This can result in long-term back pain and poor posture after the corset is removed. There is also a risk of nerve compression, which can cause numbness, tingling and, in severe cases, nerve damage.
Although modern corsets are often designed to be less restrictive than their historical counterparts, potential health risks remain. It is essential that individuals are aware of these risks and use corsets sparingly and cautiously. Consulting medical professionals before incorporating corsets into regular use can help mitigate some of these risks and ensure that any adverse effects are treated promptly.
Cathie’s partner, an orthopedic surgeon, has kept an eye on her over the years to make sure she isn’t harming her body.
She said: “He would tell me if something I was doing to my body was unhealthy.”
A Guinness World Records spokesperson said of Cathie: “She is without doubt one of the most iconic record holders of all time.”
Doctors warned against the dangers of wearing corsets.
Experts at MyMed.com said, “Doctors advise that you proceed with caution when doing waist training and do not allow unwanted pressure on the belly as this also limits blood flow to the organs, which can be very dangerous.”
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