Young girls skipping meals to lose weight

What is cause for concern is that they are doing it by missing out on important meals. Excessive eating disorders can pave the way for serious health problems like anorexia and bulimia which are on the rise.

Mary George, a spokesman for Beat Eating Disorders, an organization that counsels youngsters with such disorders stated, “It is very unwise to skip meals in this way, especially at an age where the body is still developing and requires food for energy.

“Taken to extremes this behaviour could possibly lead the way towards an eating disorder which can destroy lives. A healthy diet and sensible exercise is vital,” George said.

Survey by Schools Health Education Unit
A survey was conducted by the Exeter-based Schools Health Education Unit that questioned 32,000 ten- to 15-year-old girls.

The poll revealed that the rate of disorderly eating increased substantially as the group got older. A majority of girls said they engaged in skipping meals, using food substitutes, or smoking more instead of eating in a bid to remain in shape.

The research found that 26 percent of the 14- and 15-year-olds missed breakfast and practically ate nothing. In addition, 20 percent of the 12- and 13-year-old girls also skipped the first meal of the day, while 7 percent of ten- and 11-year-olds also gave it a miss.

The survey found that breakfast, the most important meal of the day, is rapidly becoming a thing of the past for most young girls.

22 percent of the older girls admitted they skipped lunch while 14 percent of 12- and 13-year-old also admitted on doing the same. One in ten of the older girls admitted to not eating breakfast or lunch.

This was particularly alarming because most of the girls did not require the drastic dieting measures they were adopting since they were not overweight while some were even underweight.

Only 10 percent of 14- and 15-year- old girls in the study were overweight or obese.

Skipping meals potentially damaging for health
The poll presents a dismal picture of the unhealthy eating habits prevalent in the young school girls. The erratic habits could be anything from skipping meals to abusing diet pills to anorexia. This can, in turn, lead to extreme behaviors like self-induced vomiting and abuse of laxatives and diet pills.

What is cause for concern is that the problem is acquiring epidemic proportions. Why are young girls starving?

The answer could be that a staggering number of young girls are dissatisfied with their physical appearance, and are trying desperately to adhere to unrealistic body images. However, in the process they are harming themselves.