Law bans extreme thinness in France

A groundbreaking bill was adopted Tuesday by the France’s National Assembly making it illegal for anyone, including fashion magazines, advertisers and Web sites, to encourage extreme thinness. The measure, which was supported unanimously by the ruling conservative UMP party, goes to the Senate in the coming weeks.

This latest, and reportedly strongest, measure was proposed following the 2006 death of a Brazilian model that was linked to anorexia nervosa. The bill, authored by conservative lawmaker Valery Boyer, would be the strongest of its kind anywhere if passed.

The law could allow judges to determine levels of extreme thinness, or impose fines up to $47,000 on those found guilty of “inciting others to deprive themselves of food” to an “excessive” degree, including fashion models on the catwalk.

Leaders in the fashion industry oppose the attempt to impose legal boundaries on beauty standards. The bill would allow sanctions on those responsible for magazine photographs of models who take extreme thinness too far.

While the bill applies to both male and female models, Valery Boyer said her focus is on women's health. According to the French Health Ministry, most of the 30,000 to 40,000 people with anorexia in France are women.

Health care professionals who treat patients with anorexia nervosa, which is identified as an abnormal fear of becoming overweight, have applauded the government’s effort.