TEENAGE dieting can be dangerous and even lead to lethal consequences if not handled in the right manner.

It’s a tough thing for a teenager growing up in an image conscious world. Magazines full of supermodels, TV promoting weight loss shows and the internet full of terms and ways to get thinner.

The world’s largest library – the internet – is a dangerous tool for the mind.

But there’s also the school, where frantic bullying takes place to those who are the slightest overweight.

It has a remarkable influence on the amount of teenagers – particularly girls – who become anorexic.

In Australia; One percent of teenage girls are anorexic, or won’t eat; Five percent are bulimic — they’ll eat and then purge their food; Another one percent have binge eating disorder — uncontrolled over-eating.

Proof that it can get out of control.

There are also different weight loss methods now that have different affects for the body.

The anorexia can also lead to depression – and suicide.

Dr Melissa Randall, a Los Angeles psychologist who specialises in treating eating disorders, says social pressure from the media is also a big influence.

We think of anorexia as a teenage disease. Just five years ago the average age was 16. Now, it’s almost a child’s disease starting  between 12 and 14, with some kids as young as seven being diagnosed. Experts say kids are being pressured to act and look like grown-ups from a younger age.

The problem that most of these teenages won’t face is that we’re all born different shapes and sizes and we all aren’t going to be supermodels.

A successful recipe to eating is having a balanced diet with regular eating; allow yourself some treats; and exercise at least three times a week.