Girls feel image pressure

The pressure to look attractive is a major preoccupation for young girls and has forced many to endure strict diets, a survey has revealed.

Almost half (47 per cent) of a group of 1,200 girls said they found the emphasis on physical appearance the most negative aspect of being female, according to the study commissioned by Girlguiding UK.

Last year the organisation found that 42 per cent of girls had been on strict diets, and this year they were asked why. Three quarters (75 per cent) said it was to be attractive to others, while 66 per cent said it was because of the media portrayal of women.

Girlguiding UK last month launched a petition calling for compulsory labelling on airbrushed pictures in magazines, after a survey found many Girl Guides were influenced by such images. This survey supports those results, showing the preoccupation with image is taking a hold on girls' lives.