An Alarming Finding Behind The Fear that Teens Feel about Weight Gain

Do you understand the pressure that teenagers feel today when it comes to their body image? Learn how teenage girls are afraid to gain weight due to the increasing pressures of wanting to look slim in today’s society.

According to an article at dailymail.co.uk, “Teens and Body Image”

“Two-thirds of girls aged 13 are afraid of getting fat, a survey has revealed.

And around one in ten suffers ‘extreme levels of fear’ about putting on weight – with many resorting to unhealthy habits such as skipping meals.

The alarming findings will add to fears over young people’s risk of developing eating disorders.

Ironically, extreme weight loss tactics could also be fuelling Britain’s obesity epidemic. 

The study reveals youngsters who skipped meals or threw away food ended up more at risk of becoming fat.

The research, carried out at University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found most young girls had some level of fear about gaining weight.

Although they were twice as anxious as boys, experts said their male peers were fast catching up when it came to concerns about  body size and shape.

The researchers looked at data on 7,000 children aged 13, and compared it with information on the same youngsters at the age of 15. They found two in three girls suffered some level of anxiety.

A quarter of girls and one in seven boys had restricted their food intake by fasting, skipping meals or throwing away food.” To read the entire article click here.

 If you or loved one need help dealing with an eating disorder, contact Barbara Cox at 775-329-0505- or visit ABCNutritionServices.com.