Girls could be worrying about their weight from as young as three, the findings of a new report claim.
According to a study in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 31 per cent of girls who have not even started school said they were "almost always" worried about what they look like and how much they weigh.
Mary George, from the eating disorder charity beat, said that children should be reminded that "beauty comes in all shapes and sizes".
She said that schools should take steps to try and recognise potential eating issues in children from a young age as identifying the problem early on is "vital" in trying to reduce the chance of youngsters developing long-term health issues.
Recent findings from Girlguiding UK also showed that as girls get older, they continue to have body hang-ups and insecurities.
Of those surveyed by the group, 50 per cent of 16 to 21-year-olds said they would consider having plastic surgery.
