The media has created monsters - teenage weight obsessed monsters - and whilst I am exempt from the ‘teenage’ part, I cannot say the same for the rest of that statement. My life consists of two types of days; ‘skinny days’ and what I eloquently called ‘fat days’. However, I fear the craving to somehow make my body imitate that of Kate Moss is not an insanity that only I posses.

I am by no means advocating the obsession with resembling a mannequin, but I cannot say I blame young girls for their size six obsession. When celebrity role models are heard to say such things as “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” is it any wonder that one in every hundred women have an eating disorder? When I was five my only concern was which outfit to dress my latest doll in, so you can imagine my shock upon discovering girls as young as that now have weight concerns.

I tread with caution as I mention the huge mass of websites known as ‘pro ana’ where girls choose anorexia as a lifestyle, and exchange tips on how best to remain unhealthily skinny. I cannot help but wonder if this is an inevitable outcome of the society we have created, after all how are we meant to attract men that look like David Beckham if we fail to resemble their supermodel type girlfriends?

Perhaps Mr. Gok Wan’s wise words should be taken into consideration and, alongside English and Maths, an effort should be made to teach young children about body confidence. Education is not just about formulas and equations; it is about equipping children with the tools to succeed in their adult lives. These children should be taught that beauty has no correlation to weight and, furthermore, they should be aware of the health related consequences of maintaining an unnatural body weight.

Reported anorexia cases rise each year; if the possibility of teaching teenagers to respect and love their bodies can drive down these figures then surely it is something worth doing. A healthy diet will result in a healthy weight, so how about we all put down the calorie counting charts, and try a new approach. Whilst I am no health expert, to me, a balanced diet is a cookie in one hand and an apple in the other.

I wonder how many children have heard the people around them say things such as, “I’m so fat” or “I’m on a diet” and I wonder in turn how many children have become susceptible to this. I do not point the finger of blame, for I am just as guilty of this offence; it was not until I heard the voice of my baby sister repeating those exact words that I realised that weight obsession is a chain reaction.

Perhaps persuading women to stop obsessing about their weight is futile; whilst I can suggest a mass of associations there to help women of all ages deal with eating disorders, once of a certain age it is a step every woman must take for herself. I believe the next generation can be saved, for them we may not need to find ways of helping with eating disorders, but instead ways to prevent them. Teaching body confidence in schools is one step, another is to set an example and learn to love our own bodies. Stand up to this deluded perception that has been created by celebrities and models and recognise that beauty has nothing to do with what size jeans you wear.