The anti-anorexia drive in the world's fashion capital was led by Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot along with groups in other countries worldwide. This will put an end to the display of ultra-skinny bodies of fashion models.

The measures were drafted by a working group created in January 2007 by the health ministry in response to the deaths of models and the outcry over bare-bone physiques promoted as the epitome of beauty.

To recall, in November 2006, Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died at the age of 21, weighing in at less than 40 kilos for her tall 1.7 meter frame. Uruguayan model Luisel Ramos died of heart failure in August that same year.

The charter outlines a series of guidelines but do not impose restrictions. Spain, for instance, has set a minimum body mass index of 18 for catwalk models. This is equivalent to a minimum weight of 56 kilos (123 pounds) for a height of 1.75 meters (5.74 feet).

The signatories to the voluntary charter pledged to stop using "images of people, in particular youth, that could contribute to promoting a model of extreme thinness."

Spain was the first European country to take a tough stance against anorexia. In September 2006, it banned models whose frail bodies came under the set body mass index at its Pasarela Cibeles fashion show in Madrid. Early last year, Spanish fashion houses Zara and Mango also started putting size 38-and-up mannequins (US size 8) in their window showcases and stopped placing bigger-size racks of clothing at the back of their shops.

In Italy, an anti-anorexia charter was signed in February 2007 to promote healthy beauty and bans girls under 16 from catwalks. Models on Italian catwalks must present health certificates to prove that they do not suffer from eating disorders.

Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani last year came out with a series of anti-anorexia ads featuring Frenchwoman Isabelle Caro, who weighs just 32 kilograms (70 pounds) for a height of 1.65 meters. Likewise, Italian clothing firm No-l-ita launched its ads in the middle of Milan fashion week under the slogan "No to Anorexia."

In France, agencies require a government-issued license and special authorization for models aged under 16, who should also undergo regular medical check-ups.

In Britain, models suffering from anorexia or bulimia will have to present a certificate showing that they are being treated for the disorder prior to participating in the British Fashion Week in London in September.