Stop the Photoshop! The American Medical Association says it may be hazardous to your health.

The American Medical Association (AMA), the premiere organization of physicians in America, adopted a new policy discouraging advertisers from using photo alterations

in a manner that could promote unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image.

What are some examples of such “unrealistic expectations”? Let’s take a look at a few examples…

Heads aren’t usually supposed to be wider than one’s waist, regardless of what this altered Ralph Lauren ad suggests.

Generally hip and leg bones are aligned and attached – unless you’re modeling a Victoria’s Secret halter dress.

And finally, what already slim model doesn’t need a few additional inches photoshopped off of her waist?

These are just a few examples of the type of Photoshopping the AMA policy is seeking to target. The organization cites

a large body of literature [that] links exposure to media-propagated images of unrealistic body image to eating disorders and other child and adolescent health problems.

The organization’s newly-adopted policy encourages advertisers to work with child health groups to develop guidelines for ads in youth-oriented media that discourages photo editing.

Is this AMA policy a step in the right direction or too little too late?

Should policies only focus on the health impact of photo-altering in teen magazines – or should the AMA and other public health advocates be considering broader issues and audiences in the modeling and advertising industry?  Tell us what you think!