The study found 58% of female pupils in Year 10 would like to diet, despite most already being a healthy weight
More than half of 14 and 15-year-old schoolgirls want to lose weight, according to figures.
A study by the Schools Health Education Unit found that 58% of female pupils in Year 10 would like to diet.
And the statistics also show that many teenage girls are skipping breakfast or lunch in a bid to try and help them achieve their dream figures.
Up to a quarter of Year 10 girls had no breakfast on the morning they were questioned and 20% had skipped lunch the day before.
Researchers said of the girls who missed breakfast, over a third reported having nothing for lunch the previous day either.
Despite the hope amongst many schoolgirls to lose weight, an analysis of the Year 10 females surveyed shows that most of those wanting to do so are within the limits of healthy weight, and some are already underweight.
The questionnaire, conducted on 31,354 children between 10 and 15 years old across the UK, also found half of 12 to 13-year-old girls in Year eight would like to lose weight.
Charity Beat said the figures are not surprising in a culture where celebrities are scrutinised for every physical flaw.
Young people also compare themselves to the 'hyper-real perfection' of airbrushed images, a spokeswoman said.
She said: 'One of the key features of current popular culture is a preoccupation with weight and shape and we know that poor body image
and low self esteem are key factors in the development of eating disorders.
and low self esteem are key factors in the development of eating disorders.
'Social and cultural pressures are strong in this area. The fascination with celebrities, their bodies, clothes and appearance has all increased the pressure that young people feel as they seek to establish their own identities - and typically at a time when their own bodies are growing and changing as they naturally mature and become adult.
Despite being a healthy weight or even underweight, many 14 and 15-year-olds still want to diet
'Celebrities are scrutinised in the media for flaws and imperfections as much as for their glamour - leading young people to consider their own bodies in a critical light too.
'Young people compare themselves unfavourably to these images and some people are more affected by media imagery than others, usually
because they are more vulnerable and more easily influenced. Peer pressure is a natural evolution within this culture.'
because they are more vulnerable and more easily influenced. Peer pressure is a natural evolution within this culture.'
She added: 'We know that eating disorders can be beaten - and our understanding of the role the body image plays in this is crucial.
We may not be able to change the way brains are hard wired, but we can challenge the cultural ideals that have become toxic to a generation of young people.'
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