Italy issues new code to stop ultra-skinny models

ROME, Dec 16 (Reuters) Italy's government and its fashion chiefs today issued a manifesto to crack down on the use of ultra-thin teenagers on the catwalk, requiring models to show proof of their good health or be barred from fashion shows.

The charter also bans the use of models who are under the age of 16, saying they risk ''sending the wrong message to girls of the same age in the delicate pre-puberty stage''.

The manifesto, which will be officially signed next week, was drawn up as pressure grows on the fashion world to promote healthier looks.

Spain barred models below a certain weight from Madrid fashion shows in September. Earlier this month Brazil also launched a campaign to ban underage, underweight models from its catwalks in response to the death of a Brazilian model from complications due to anorexia.

''The government and fashion associations have sealed a strategic partnership to launch a common fight against anorexia,'' said Youth and Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri.

Powerful Milan fashion houses at first resisted calls to follow the Spanish example, with Italian National Fashion Chamber head Mario Boselli saying in September that only ''maybe one girl in a hundred'' could be defined as too skinny.

But Boselli, whose lobby represents big names like Armani, Versace and Prada, later agreed to work with Melandri on a self regulatory code of good practice.

The manifesto requires models to produce a health certificate and says those with ''apparent eating disorders'' will be barred from fashion shows.

The criteria used will include the body mass index -- a ratio of weight to height squared. The World Health Organisation classifies women with an index of less than 18.5 as underweight.

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