France Bans Unhealthily Thin Models

'Exposing young people to normative and unrealistic images of bodies leads to a sense of self-depreciation and poor self-esteem that can impact health-related behaviour...'

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by Danielle Fowler |
Published on

According to The Independent, France has introduced new laws which aim to prevent the promotion of ‘unrealistic body images’.

Models are now legally required to provide a doctor’s certificate which proves that their body mass index is within a healthy range. The measurement will be taken into consideration alongside their age, height and weight. The World Health Organisation’s definition of ‘underweight’, is a BMI below 18.5.

A second law, which will launch on October 1st, will also require digitally altered photographs used by websites and magazines, to be clearly marked with the label - ‘photographie retouchée'.

Marisol Touraine, France’s minister of social affairs and health said: “Exposing young people to normative and unrealistic images of bodies leads to a sense of self-depreciation and poor self-esteem that can impact health-related behaviour.”

She continued: “The objective is also to protect the health of a sector of the population particularly at risk - models.”

Anorexia reportedly affects approximately 40,000 people in France, 90 percent of which are women.

There have been similar calls for action in the UK, though laws have yet to be passed.

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