France seeks to jail promoters of 'excessive thinness'

wo years ago, the fashion world was stunned by the death of a 5-foot-8-inch Brazilian model who, at 88 pounds, weighed no more than a child. Six months ago, an anorexic French model with protruding ribs and arms like sticks created a storm in Italy by posing nude for a publicity campaign against eating disorders.

The French government has decided those shocks were not enough to dissuade more young women from starving themselves in pursuit of an unhealthy idealized beauty. It wants to put those who promote anorexia in jail.

It seems to me that there are forces in our culture that reinforce really unhealthy choices for young women and girls - is this kind of law likely to make a difference?