A study is reported into the dieting behaviour and views of young children in Wales during April-July 1994. Interviews were conducted with 100 boys and girls from two age groups (six and nine years old). The results indicated that over 50 per cent of the children thought it was healthy to be thin, 30 per cent expressed a desire to be thinner and 20 per cent reported cutting down on their food intake at some point in order to lose weight. Dieting behaviour and concerns were more common among overweight and female children. The results are discussed in relation to the various pressures children may experience to avoid being overweight.
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