Good news! Conde Nast International issued a statement this week that no edition of Vogue (it has 19 editions worldwide) will work with models under 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder. Let’s hope this sends a message to the fashion industry. Read more here.

The newest body image activist? Kudos to Julia Bluhm, age 14 (no that’s not a typo) who organized an online petition  asking Seventeen Magazine to publish one un-photoshopped spread per month. At the time I signed the petition, nearly 46,000 people had already signed it. While Seventeen Magazine has agreed to meet the eighth grader (who even protested outside of Seventeen’s offices!), they haven’t agreed to the petition’s demands. Read more about it here. Julia is active with the SPARK Movement, which was organized to challenge sexualization of girls and women in the media and help girls develop healthy sexuality and self esteem. Imagine what we could do if we all speak out the way this teen is doing!

Is Victoria’s Secret’s advertising objectifying and dis-empowering women? We need to be conscious consumers. Very interesting research and paper done by Lexie Kite of Beauty Redefined here.

Do you come across pictures or stories in newspapers, magazines or television and shake your head? Alternatively, do you want to be able to speak out and let advertisers know when they are getting it right? A new iTunes application coming out called Body Image Voice lets you write about and rate images you see in the media and advertising. Personally, I can’t wait to check it out! Read more here .

I love finding new blogs to read! Fighting Anorexia is a wonderful, inspirational blog about recovering/staying recovered from eating disorders. Check out this wonderful post about reasons to fight for recovery here.