Teenage girls have 'tougher time growing up than boys'

Researchers have carried out the study and found that teenage girls are more likely to skip meals in a bid to try and lose weight, and often smoke and drink more alcohol than boys, 'The Observer' reported.

The study has also suggested that twice as many girls in Britain are suffering with "teenage angst" and as many as 900,000 say they are "unhappy and depressed". And, the problem is worse for young girls from lower economic backgrounds.

Girls are also more concerned about their appearance and the need to be perfect which is influenced by celebrity culture. They also feel more pressurised to lose virginity early, according to the researchers.

Some young women have also said they feel burdened by expectations they should try and carve out a career in more male-dominated environments, found the study commissioned by thinktank Demos.

Julia Margo, deputy director of the company, was quoted as saying, "Growing up has always been tough but our research shows that this generation of teenagers has more reason to wallow and fret than previous generations.

"It is definitely tougher to grow up in Britain as a girl, and it is harder having to do it now than it has been in recent years."