Vogue models must now be 16 or older

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NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- The editors of the 19 international editions of Vogue have agreed to stop using models younger than 16, the magazine's New York publisher said.

Starting with next month's editions, models who appear to have eating disorders also will no longer be featured in the fashion bible's layouts.

"Vogue editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the well-being of their readers," The New York Times reported Conde Nast International Chairman Jonathan Newhouse said Thursday.

The Times said the announcement came after fashion magazines have been criticized for years for promoting unrealistic standards of beauty, a practice made even more common with the widespread use of digital retouching.