[Arneldo]

The results of our body image poll were released yesterday, revealing what nearly 10,000 young people under the age of 16 think about their appearance.


BODIES
Over the past few months we held a survey in conjunction with the charity beat about the way you feel about your bodies. While Hannah Ashworth's eating disorder continues to spiral out of control, we asked how you judge your own looks. Over 30,000 of you responded, and the results were startling.

GUILTY
The survey found that of those under 16 years old:

One in five think that size zero is the ideal
30% would have plastic surgery to change their appearance
Over half had been on a diet
Nearly two thirds feel guilty about their eating
66% would like to be thinner
40% are bullied because of their appearance
Nearly half believe that the way they look will affect their future happiness


IMAGE
A spokesperson for beat commented: "The results of this survey illustrate how important it is to impress upon the fashion and media industries that their actions, by continuously paying homage to the so-called 'ideal body image', affect young people.

"It is only by these industries adopting a more realistic approach that young people will feel comfortable with themselves and appreciate that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes."
You can check out the rest of the survey results by clicking here.

Hollyoaks

[XxShortyxX]

I read about that, it's so sad. But I am the same, I care about hte way I look and what I eat. I wont even go out of the house with out make-up on, I really care about my appearance and the way I look.

[Red Moon]

I hope we are taking about size in US dress sizes and not UK sizes.

Here is a table so people know the difference.

[Matt]

"Size Zero" is a term that usually refers to the US size 0, which is equivalent to UK size 4.

[gracie24]

I know I'm 17 so I'm not really in the category they asked but:

The survey found that of those under 16 years old:

One in five think that size zero is the ideal - I think that size 0 is the ideal, many celebrities walking around today are size 0 and they look absolutely stunning and the clothes fit them perfectly.

30% would have plastic surgery to change their appearance - I would go tomorrow to have plastic surgery to change my appearance. The only thing stopping me is that you have to be 18 over here and I can't afford it right now.

Over half had been on a diet - I've been on a diet and I'm currently on one now. lol.

Nearly two thirds feel guilty about their eating - I've never had this feeling and I don't think I ever will, I like my food too much to actually feel guilty about eating it.

66% would like to be thinner - I would like to be thinner, always have done and I reckon I always will.

40% are bullied because of their appearance - Haven't been properly bullied, maybe one case but I dealt with it but I know that I've been made fun of behind my back before.

Nearly half believe that the way they look will affect their future happiness - I definitely believe this. I've had no luck in my life and I feel that if I were thinner, my life would actually change.

Those are just my opinions but none of those statements actually shock me.

[XxShortyxX]

Originally posted by gracie24
I know I'm 17 so I'm not really in the category they asked but:

The survey found that of those under 16 years old:

One in five think that size zero is the ideal - I think that size 0 is the ideal, many celebrities walking around today are size 0 and they look absolutely stunning and the clothes fit them perfectly.

30% would have plastic surgery to change their appearance - I would go tomorrow to have plastic surgery to change my appearance. The only thing stopping me is that you have to be 18 over here and I can't afford it right now.

Over half had been on a diet - I've been on a diet and I'm currently on one now. lol.

Nearly two thirds feel guilty about their eating - I've never had this feeling and I don't think I ever will, I like my food too much to actually feel guilty about eating it.

66% would like to be thinner - I would like to be thinner, always have done and I reckon I always will.

40% are bullied because of their appearance - Haven't been properly bullied, maybe one case but I dealt with it but I know that I've been made fun of behind my back before.

Nearly half believe that the way they look will affect their future happiness - I definitely believe this. I've had no luck in my life and I feel that if I were thinner, my life would actually change.

Those are just my opinions but none of those statements actually shock me.

Awwww, that's so sad reading that, I don't mean sad as in ha ha lol

Hun I am sure you are a very pretty girl, and you know what, it ent about looks, it's about what's on the inside that counts. You might be the most gawjuz person in the world, but be a nasty horrible person, or have the personality of a dead corpse lol.

I'm sure you will find a nice, lovely guy, who will love you for you.

[Sunny_01]

Originally posted by gracie24
I know I'm 17 so I'm not really in the category they asked but:

The survey found that of those under 16 years old:

One in five think that size zero is the ideal - I think that size 0 is the ideal, many celebrities walking around today are size 0 and they look absolutely stunning and the clothes fit them perfectly.

30% would have plastic surgery to change their appearance - I would go tomorrow to have plastic surgery to change my appearance. The only thing stopping me is that you have to be 18 over here and I can't afford it right now.

Over half had been on a diet - I've been on a diet and I'm currently on one now. lol.

Nearly two thirds feel guilty about their eating - I've never had this feeling and I don't think I ever will, I like my food too much to actually feel guilty about eating it.

66% would like to be thinner - I would like to be thinner, always have done and I reckon I always will.

40% are bullied because of their appearance - Haven't been properly bullied, maybe one case but I dealt with it but I know that I've been made fun of behind my back before.

Nearly half believe that the way they look will affect their future happiness - I definitely believe this. I've had no luck in my life and I feel that if I were thinner, my life would actually change.

Those are just my opinions but none of those statements actually shock me.

Gracie I can assure you that if you were thinner your life would not be any happier as such. I lost a huge amount of weight and like you thought my life would get better. What I can say is yes it is easier to get nice clothes, but I am still the same person inside. I still have insecurities about how I look and battle daily to maintain my weight.

Lose weight for you not to try and fit into this ideal image that you have of how you SHOULD look.

[Jackie]

Yes and its the magazines that create the image.I know of this girl that has wasted away over a 2 year period she looks so frail and its so awfull how they get to this awfull stage is a wonder.Its i want to be a size 10,iwant to be a size 8 next size 6 and than it goes on because the person just gets obessed with her weight.

[Jack_Crossitt]

I can believe that these surveys are a little misleading. (One in five under 16's wish to be size 0) sorry, I don't believe that at all. I would say it is much less. But for any wishing to be size 0, I really don't agree with that choice - it is just way to thin and not healthy at all. Being slim is great and to be a model, it is a must to be slim and attractive too but they do ask a lot and asking for their models to be size 0 is kind of exploitation in my view. The wrong sort of exploitation.