Social media dieting fads ‘fuelling health crisis in teen girls'

UP to a quarter of teenage girls are undernourished, research suggests, prompting experts to call for more regulation of social media.

- Lucy Johnston

A report released today found 25 per cent of girls have either been diagnosed with or suspect they have a vitamin B or iron deficiency.

The study also found more than half of teenage girls were dieting and more than two in five have experienced tiredness or loss of energy.

Three in 10 said they had cut back on dairy or red meat - with many believing it is not good for their health or will make them put on weight.

Although much has been made of the fight against obesity, experts say under-eating is also a huge problem.

The thin female beauty ideal championed online is one factor blamed for body dissatisfaction.

The research, which surveyed 505 girls aged between 13-17 and was carried out on behalf of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, has led to calls for social media to be better regulated to protect youngsters from unhealthy or fad diets.