Whatever happened to three square meals a day? Ancient history it would seem for many teenagers, and for young women especially. Research from the Schools Health Education Unit shows 41 per cent of girls surveyed had had no breakfast that day, up from 25 per cent in 1984 when the unit first started its survey of young people.
What is more, some 18 per cent are now missing lunch compared with just two per cent in 1984.
Why? There may be more girls missing breakfast just because families are so busy in the mornings and there is no time. But the suggestion has been made that girls are missing meals to lose weight as they strive to look like film stars and pop singers: the education unit's report was released at the beginning of February during Eating Disorders Week. It showed that since 1991 there has been an increase in those who want to lose weight from 51 per cent to 61 per cent.
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