London girls have best body image; ... but Guides find half would have cosmetic surgery to change looks.

Byline: Anna Davis Health Reporter

GIRLS in London are happier with their looks than anywhere else in the country, a survey claims today.

More than 1,000 aged between seven and 21 were questioned in the biggest poll taken into their attitudes to a range of health and social issues.

Fifteen per cent of London girls said they would not change a thing about their appearance, compared with eight per cent in the rest of Britain.

Almost one third said they were "very happy" with the way they looked, against 20 per cent nationally.

The survey, commissioned for the Girl Guides, also found 50 per cent would consider surgery to change the way they looked. Of the 16 to 21 age group, one in 10 would think of having weight loss surgery.

London girls rated Michelle Obama overwhelmingly as the best role model, with 30 per cent admiring her. Elsewhere only 11 per cent named America's First Lady as someone to look up to -- preferring Cheryl Cole and JK Rowling.

Stress was a big worry, with half of 11 to 16-year-olds saying they had suffered it severely. Alcohol was the most serious health issue facing girls -- more than half of 16 to 21-year-olds said they had drunk so much they had thrown up.

Anne Hudson, a chief commissioner for the Girl Guides, said: "It is interesting to see how the views of girls and young women in London differ from the rest of the UK.

"London is a wonderfully diverse city and seeing how the rich tapestry of experiences and cultures affects the opinions of girls is an important reminder of the need to really listen."

GirlGuiding UK held the survey for its centenary celebrations, the first time the group has extended a study beyond its 550,000 members. Mrs Hudson said: "We are proud to make this contribution to the debate on behalf of all girls."

Have your say: standard.co.uk/bodyimage

Ceyda Kuyucuotlu, 19, student from Romford "I'm confident about my body, I'm quite happy with my shape. If I could I'd put on weight a little bit because I don't easily; some people think I don't eat."

Joanne Gale, 20, retailer from Walthamstow "I feel okay about my body but it depends how active I am. I used to live in the country so I'm much more conscious of my body since coming to London."

Ellie Abel, 20, student from Brighton "My body's not perfect. I play sport so I'm a bit chunky. I wish I was taller as I might look slimmer. It doesn't surprise me that Londoners are more confident."

Susie Calvert, 20, student from Peckham, left "I'm confident about my body because I don't really care and I'm happy. When you come to London you get more confident because there is such a mix of people here and it's high fashion. In London I don't eat as much as I would at home because I'm so busy so I've lost a bit of weight."