Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Italy may outlaw breast implants for minors to ensure adolescents don’t compromise the natural growth of their mammary glands, said Francesca Martini, the undersecretary for the Health Ministry.

“It’s becoming more and more common that adolescents are asking for breast enlargements,” Martini said today in Rome, according to an e-mailed statement. “Because of the health risks of having such surgery when the mammary gland isn’t yet fully formed, we’re considering outlawing them for minors unless there are valid medical reasons.”

Fourteen percent of 16- and 17-year-old Italian girls said they would be willing to undergo surgery for breast implants, according to a survey of 500 women between the ages of 16 and 45 by polling company SWG Srl. More than a third of adolescent girls said they weren’t satisfied with their physical appearance, according to the survey, which was presented today by Martini.

To contact the reporter on this story: Steve Scherer in Rome at scherer@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: February 4, 2009 12:14 EST