KIWI TWINS’ ANOREXIA NIGHTMARE ‘WE STARVED OURSELVES TO STAND OUT’

Auckland twins Libby and Madi Schipper may look identical, both work in the health and wellness industry, and finish one another’s sentences. But while the 26-year-old sisters now revel in their similarities, past comparisons saw them develop the devastating eating disorder anorexia, which has plagued their lives and, at one stage, almost killed them.

“Growing up, we were very healthy and active, but we had puppy fat and got bullied a lot,” says Libby, who grew up with her sister by the beach in Pukekohe, South Auckland. “I remember wanting to be smaller from about six years old. People would compare Madi and I, which neither of us liked. I learnt one