THE size zero problem is one that affects many teenagers in the UK and America, writes Jennifer Gibson.

Size zero is an English size 4 - the equivalent of age eight jeans! With celebrities and models setting the trend', there is an increasing pressure on teenagers to follow their idols' examples.

Though the media could be blamed for portraying the image of the perfect body', there has been a lot of publicity addressing size zero as a problem.

MTV has recently launched a campaign on size zero. It runs an advert featuring two skinny look-alike celebrities, with the caption don't be a zero, look after yourself'.

The effects of being a size zero are extremely dangerous.

Louise Redknapp highlighted this on the ITV programme, The Truth About Size Zero. On the show, Louise saw a doctor who advised her not to do the diet as it was dangerous to her health.

However, even with the health warnings, many teenagers continue to starve themselves to look like their peers.

At a London fashion show this year, there was outrage about some of the super-skinny models.

The organisers were urged to ban the skeletal models. In Madrid recently, models had to produce a medical certificate showing they are healthy and not starving themselves.

Some celebrities, however, set a good example. Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncè both love their trademark curves.

Even Victoria Beckham, who is known for being ultra-thin, has banned size zero models from modelling her denim fashion label.