Three in 10 girls (29 percent) have reduced their consumption of dairy or red meat in the past year – with many believing it to be detrimental to their health (37 percent) or cause weight gain (18 percent).
This news comes after a study of 9 million GP records published in the Lancet, which indicates a significant increase in the number of children and young people in the UK with eating disorders between 2020 and 2022.
This is also supported by research from NHS Digital, which suggests that 60 percent of 17-19-year-olds and 13 percent of 11-16-year-olds may have a probable eating disorder.
Experts believe that the lack of control children experienced during lockdown measures could have triggered these behaviors. Additionally, the portrayal of a thin female beauty ideal in social and mass media is amplifying body dissatisfaction.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board conducted a survey of 505 girls aged 13 to 17, resulting in calls for better regulation of social media to protect young people from unhealthy or fad diets.
There are also demands for government public health messaging to emphasize not only obesity prevention but also the importance of a balanced diet and addressing nutritional deficiencies.
She added: “The government has primarily focused on weight loss messaging in response to the obesity epidemic, and the media bombards us with diet messages.
“However, we need to acknowledge the increasing rates of disordered eating. Figures indicate that almost two-thirds of women between the ages of 16 and 25 are screening positive for an eating disorder.
“The government should align its eating disorder and obesity prevention policies – it should not be a choice between the two, but rather both should be addressed.”
According to a recent Lancet study of GP records, there were initially expected to be 2,700 diagnoses of eating disorders among 13-16-year-olds, but 3,862 were observed – a 42 percent increase. Eating disorders also exceeded expectations among 17-19-year-olds.
During the pandemic, prolonged exposure to social media, increased focus on body image, and limited face-to-face contact may have contributed to feelings of low self-esteem and psychological distress, particularly among adolescent girls, as stated in the study.
Anita Asante, former England footballer and Lioness, is advocating for better education on a balanced diet that includes meat and dairy for young people. “Without sufficient fuel before a big game, I would not have a chance of performing optimally on the pitch – both physically and mentally. Eating a balanced diet is crucial in sports.”