One in five primary schoolgirls consider dieting: Eating Disorders Week
Eating disorders are one of the top health concerns for girls aged 11 – 21.
One in five schoolchildren would consider going on a diet to lose weight.
Girlguiding Scotland is now calling for action to stop low body confidence taking a toll on girls’ wellbeing, during Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
Their recent Attitudes Survey showed that worries over low body confidence are amongst the pressures taking a toll on girls’ wellbeing.
Eating disorders are also one of the top health concerns for girls aged 11 – 21, and that two in three girls know someone with an eating disorder.
The findings also revealed wider pressures around body image. Two in five girls aged 11 – 21 reported that they had had a demeaning comment made to them about the way they look and a rising number of them say they think women are not portrayed fairly in the media.
Katie Horsburgh, 15, a Girlguiding Scotland member from Edinburgh, said: “As a teenage girl myself, I know how difficult it can be to be surrounded by images of women with unattainable ‘perfect’ bodies.
“We need to help girls learn that beauty comes from within and value them for their skills and personalities – not their looks.
“Girlguiding Scotland is for all girls and treats all girls equally - I can definitely say that guiding has helped me to see the ‘beauty myth’ for what it is and become more confident.”