Dr Jones told BBC News Online that while most of the problematic behaviours uncovered in the study were not severe enough to be diagnosed as a clinical eating disorder they were still quite significant and placed the girls at risk for the development of conditions such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

BBC: Eating disorders 'rife in girls'

"We also know that anorexia and bulimia nervosa and related illnesses affect the lives of almost every one of us, either directly or indirectly, " she said.

BBC: Eating disorders 'on the increase'