Truth in Advertising Act Introduced!

The Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) and Seth Matlins of the Brave Girls Alliance commend Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lois Capps (D-CA), and Ted Deutch (D-FL) on the Truth in Advertising Act. This bipartisan bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to study what steps can be taken to reduce the usage of “photoshopped” models in advertising. The broad-range of health consequences of advertising that “photoshops” and changes the human form by advertisers is particularly concerning. These types of altered advertisements have a particularly strong impact on children and girls.

“We are extremely excited about this legislation. Reps. Ros-Lehtinen, Capps and Deutch have been champions for the eating disorders causes, and we value their leadership on this important initiative,” said Johanna Kandel, President of the Eating Disorders Coalition, “ The EDC has been concerned about the effect “photoshopping” can have on the onset of eating disorders for quite sometime and we look forward to seeing this bill become law.”

"As the father of 2 young children, I'm incredibly grateful for the leadership Representatives Ros-Lehtinen, Capps and Deutch are demonstrating" said Seth Matlins, who first began advocating for this type of legislative action with his wife almost three years ago. "Advertisers have been operating within guidelines and a 'business-as-usual' approach that needs to be re-examined. When 69% of elementary school girls say magazine images influence their concept of ideal body shape - and yet the body shapes they see aren't real or attainable; when 80% of women feel "shame" after reading a beauty magazine, we need to act, and re-consider commercial practices that are harming a broad cross-section of the population."

The Eating Disorders Coalition is a non-profit policy and advocacy organization for persons with eating disorders located in Washington, DC. Seth Matlins is a father, marketer, and member of the Brave Girls Alliance, which shares the message that girls want, and deserve more empowered and healthy media.  For more information, visit www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org and BraveGirlsWant.com.