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Moving Toward Healthier Image Of Women

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The french have tried it with limited success: they are trying to give more realistic representations of women in magazines. They actually have targeted for review those websites that glamorize that women become ultra thin, basically rewarding anorexic tendencies.

It is viewed as a public health initiative.

The French strategy came to mind last week when Sports Illustrated introduced a so-called plus-sized model into the swimsuit edition.

Most of the entertainment shows ran video, interviews and it was well-publicized - and perhaps the clothing industry considers her plus sized, but to me she looked healthy and at significantly less risk for osteoporosis and related problems later in life.

Certainly it is a start, but there is a subtle - in fact not so subtle - pressure placed on women and there is a long way to go.

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