A national survey by Girlguiding Magazine has revealed that almost half of girls between the ages of 11 and 16 are dieting.

The survey found that by the age of 10, girls start wanting to be thin and 42% of 11 to 16-year-olds restrict what they eat in an attempt to stay slim.

More than 1,000 girls and women, aged between 7 and 21, were quizzed on topics including binge drinking, eating disorders, plastic surgery, sexual health and body image.

The survey found that 24% of 16 to 21-year-olds would think about having cosmetic surgery, and 12% of 11 to 16-year-olds would seriously think of having a gastric band or plastic surgery. Another 5% would consider Botox treatment.

Cosmetic surgery is commonly accepted as an option for making positive changes to their appearance.

The researchers found a change of attitude to personal appearance after the age of 10.

2% of 7 to 11 year-olds, 2% were found to be unhappy with their appearance, but this increased to 11% of 11 to 16 year-olds.

Cheryl Cole is by far the most popular female role model among 11 to 16-year-olds, half as many girls in this group chose model Katie Price, and fewer than 10% chose Michelle Obama or Olympic athletes Kelly Holmes and Rebecca Adlington.

Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson said:

“Today’s unrealistic idea of what is beautiful means that young girls are under more pressure now than they were even five years ago.

“Airbrushing means that adverts now contain completely unattainable images that no one can live up to in real life.

“Girls shouldn’t constantly feel the need to measure up to a very narrow range of digitally manipulated images.”

Chief Guide Liz Burnley said:

“It is part of our responsibility to the next generation to ensure that their views and opinions are counted and in our centenary year we are proud to make this contribution to the policy debate on behalf of all girls, not just our members.”