PA
Girl as young as primary-school age are missing meals in an attempt to keep their weight down, a study has found.
The School Health Education Unit spoke to 83,000 youngsters about their diets and eating habits, and found that vast numbers restrict their food consumption in an attempt to emulate celebrities and achieve an ideal 'look'.
Almost a third of Year 10 girls interviewed said they went without their breakfast, while nearly a quarter said they had also skipped their lunch the previous day.
The study found that incidents of young girls spurning meals increased the older they got, with two-thirds of 14 to 15-year-olds actively trying to achieve a certain 'look' with regards to their body shape.
40 per cent of boys and girls in Year sixsaid they never ate protein, despite a quarter of them regularly consuming crisps, sweets and chocolate.
A senior scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation told the Daily Mail the media was a massive influence on young people. Dr Laura Wyness said it had a huge effect on young people who felt pressurised to obtain the perfect body.
What do you think?
Do you have Year six children who restrict their diets?