A disturbing new survey reveals youngsters of today are so weight conscious that nearly half the girls aged 11 to 16 confirmed they were on a diet, while 12% of the same age group considering having a gastric band fitted.

Thirty-three percent of girls as young as seven wanted to change their appearance by slimming down, with 42% of the 11 to 16-year-olds admitting to 'watching what they eat or cutting out certain foods excessively'. While, 24% of 16 to 21-year olds said they were thinking about cosmetic surgery and would consider it to achieve a perfect body, 5% of the 11 to 16-age group were already considering BOTOX., including 5% of 7 to 9-year-old and to 27% of 11 to 16-year-old girls wanting to be slimmer.

For the landmark report, Girl Guiding UK polled over 1,100 on-guides girls and young women, while Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson whose party would like to ban airbrushing of pictures, called the report worrying blaming the pressure young girls find themselves under on an 'unrealistic idea of what is beautiful means'.

They were questioned about their attitude to eating disorders, body image, plastic surgery, binge drinking and sexual health. The survey also found half the 11 to 16-year-olds severely stressed out, rising to 75% of those aged 16 to 21.

A third of the girls considered Cheryl Cole, the glamorous X-Factor judge to be the best role model for their age group i. e. girls aged 7 to 16-years.

Cheryl, 26, told The Sun: 'It's a huge honour. It's such an amazing feeling to inspire girls to get out there and try to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be.'

In other horrifying revelations, the research showed 27% of girls aged 11 to 16 binge drinking had vomited or lost control, while a third of 16 to 21-year-olds admitted to having had unprotected sex.