May 5, 2017.
The thinness of models has been in the government’s sights for many years. The 2016 health law is committed to fighting this scourge, which pushes many young people to adopt unbalanced eating behaviors. From now on, the models will have to prove a good state of physical health and their photos, if they are retouched, will have to show the mention.
Mandatory medical certificate for all models
France is determined to fight against the excessive thinness of models. In a decree, published on May 4, 2017, the government decided to strike hard not to encourage young people to be thin and anorexia. From now on, professional models must, in order to exercise their profession, provide a medical certificate aimed at proving their good state of health.
All photographs for commercial use of these mannequins must also bear the words ” retouched photograph “ when it does. In this decree, which will officially come into force on 1er October 2017, the Ministry of Health specifies that this mention must be ” affixed in a manner that is accessible, easily legible and clearly differentiated from the advertising or promotional message “.
Eating disorders affect 600,000 people in France
These provisions come within the framework of the Health Law, which was passed in January 2016. It aims to accentuate the fight against eating disorders, which claim many victims every year in France.
Eating behavior disorders mainly affect adolescent girls and young women. According to health insurance figures, anorexia nervosa affects up to 1.5% of women, when bulimia affects about the same proportion among 11-20 year olds, who represent the population most affected by this mental illness. In all, 600,000 young people are believed to be affected by this scourge, which has become the 2th cause of death in 15-24 year olds.
Sybille Latour
Learn more about eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating)